Decision Factors and the Utilization Of Monitoring and Evaluation Findings in Programs Implementation: A Case of the Ugandan Malaria Control Program

Abstract

Utilization-focused evaluation is based on the principle that an evaluation should be adjudicated by its utility. Therefore, no matter how technically sound and methodologically elegant, an evaluation is not truly good unless its findings are used. This study was therefore set out to ascertain the decision factors affecting utilization of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in the implementation of Malaria Control Programs in Uganda. In addressing this aim, a survey design in which questionnaires were administered to 120 employees from Monitoring and Evaluation departments of the six organizations that were implementing Malaria Control Programs in the Ugandan district of Mukono. The quantitative data collected was analyzed at descriptive and inferential levels. Results showed that the level of receptiveness (β = -.085, p > 0.005) and consideration for information needs (β = -.251, p > 0.005) had no significant influence on utilization of M&E results in the implementation of the Malaria Control Programs. It, however, found decision characteristics as the decision factor having a positive significant effect on the level of use of M&E findings in the implementation of the Malaria Control Programs (β = .696, p < 0.001). The study concluded that decision characteristics were pertinent decision aspects which if not well-addressed limits use of Monitoring and Evaluation findings in the implementation of Malaria Control Program activities. It was thus recommended that stakeholders need to be exclusively identified and thereafter involved in making decisions for the successful implementation of Malaria Control Programs.