Community Factors and Utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation Results: Evidence from Malaria Control Programs’ Implementation in Mukono District.

Abstract

The study aim was to investigate the community factors affecting utilization of monitoring and evaluation findings in implementation of malaria control programs in Mukono district, central Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional design in which questionnaires were administered to 120 project personnel from 6 organizations that were implementing malaria control programs. Results showed that attitude towards malaria control as a community factor had no significant effect on utilization of monitoring and evaluation results in implementation of malaria control programs (β = .116, p = 0.146 > 0.05). It however found beliefs about malaria (β = .116, p = 0.000< 0.05) and decision-making issues (β = .232, p = 0.004 < 0.05) as the community factors that independently influenced utilization of monitoring & evaluation results. It was concluded that though the utilization of monitoring & evaluation results is crucial in guiding improvements in interventions, it is less integrated into the implementation of malaria control programs. The community members’ beliefs and decision making about malaria are pertinent in propelling utilization. The study recommended the need for government to sensitize communities about malaria control to overcome negative beliefs and as well be informed in supporting better decision making about malaria control programs. In order to promote the learning of positive health behaviors amongst social media users in Sub-Saharan Africa, Self-Regulation and External Locus of Control should be enhanced.