Evaluation

Evaluation is the process that helps to determine the effectiveness, relevance, and impact of your activities. It is the process that measures whether program outcomes were achieved and determines what impact the program had on the target population.

Evaluation is the use of social and scientific research methods to investigate the program's effectiveness systematically. It is also the process of assessing if the predetermined objectives are achieved.

Why do we evaluate?:

To identify the change in the target group /Clients response to nutritional interventions. To know the extent to which objectives are met /progress in nutritional status and alleviating malnutrition.

Evaluation help as to make a decision about the program (efficiency and effectiveness), furthermore to identify gaps between objectives and achievements, to learn from experience.

Two main domains of information in evaluation:

• Outcome evaluation.
• Impact evaluation.

Outcome evaluation: short-term or intermediate results obtained by the program through the implementation of activities. Example: improved maternal nutrition, increased prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding.

Impact evaluation: long term effect and impact:

• The rate of reduced child morbidity and mortality (improved child health) as a result of nutritional education and intervention.
• The rate of reduced child morbidity and mortality (improved child health) from vaccine-preventable diseases as a result of immunisation.
• Reduced occurrence of an epidemic of vaccine-preventable diseases as compared to the previous subsequent years as a result of immunisation.
• Both monitoring and evaluation involve the analysis and documentation of information and data concerning the response of clients to the nutrition information and education.