Monitoring and evaluation program components

Monitoring and Evaluation Program Components

1. Inputs

Inputs are resources used in a program. It includes financial, human or material resources. Examples: health workers, anti-TB drugs, laboratory reagents, IEC materials

2. Activities

Activities are program procedures that are implemented to obtain desired effects. Examples: Training health workers for counseling and testing, screening patients for opportunistic infections, conducting supervision, educating women

3. Outputs

Outputs are the immediate consequences of the inputs utilized and program activities conducted. Outputs are measured within the setup of service provision, usually using routine program records. Examples: number of patients treated, number of clients counseled, number of condoms distributed, number of HIV tests carried out.

4. Outcomes

Outcomes are effects upon the target population that can lead to the intended ultimate goal of a program. Outputs are measured among targets, which could be health facilities, clients, and patients. The effects include several types and may focus on awareness, attitudes, behavior, utilization etc. Examples: increase of condom use, improvement of quality of healthcare, reduction of risky sexual behaviors

5. Impacts

Impacts are related to long-term accumulative effects of programs. They are rarely attributed to a single program or intervention. Examples: reduction in incidence of HIV infection, reduction of HIV/AIDS mortality, improvement in quality of life of patients.