Using Data to Address Program Needs

Editor's Note:

In June 2003, UNICEF and GAVI (The Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunization) held regional workshops in Istanbul, Johannesburg, and Bangkok to address key issues in communication for immunisation. Participants included communication and immunisation specialists, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) managers, and health educators from governments and GAVI partners working in more than 40 countries. The workshops addressed such issues as communication for immunisation safety, advocacy for financial sustainability, social mobilisation, communication planning, communication to improve district-level coverage, facing the media, communication strategies in response to Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) and to build public trust in immunisation, and immunisation of hard-to-reach groups, among others. A free CD-ROM draws together key presentations, discussions, tools, topics, and recommendations; please see ordering information below.

Scott Wittet's presentation examines "the use of a variety of data to guide immunization program design, for advocacy, and to increase community participation in immunization services".

He explains, "Different people respond to different kinds of information: some are only interested in numbers, others like "stories," and many people want both. Qualitative research approaches can supplement and enrich quantitative data that are generated through communication monitoring." In short, communication practitioners might consider using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, if that is what is needed. Wittet points out that, while quantitative reserch can measure EPI coverage trends, it is silent on the reasons behind them; this is where qualitative approaches come into play. The latter strategy includes such techniques as focus group discussions, community meetings, in-depth interviews, and direct observation.

The final portion of this presentation explores findings from "a rapid, low-cost, qualitative study in Nepal that focused on injection practices [and that] helped 'open the eyes' of key players in the country, motivating them to look for solutions to pervasive problems related to injection quality within EPI and outside." Organised by General Welfare Pratistan and the Children's Vaccine Program at PATH, this exploratory, qualitative study was conducted in 2000 to understand who were giving injections, why they were giving them, and how they were giving them. Wittet shares data and anecdotes indicating that immunisation safety can be compromised due to low morale, lack of supportive supervision and monitoring, and failure to appreciate vaccinators' hard work.

Click here for an overview of the June 2003 Communication for Immunization Workshops in Istanbul, Johannesburg, and Bangkok.

For more information, or to request a free copy of the CD-ROM on which this presentation is featured, contact:

Erica Kochi

ekochi@unicef.org

OR

Gina Darcin

gdarcinstlouis@unicef.org

UNICEF

UNICEF's Immunization website