Improving GEND_GBV Data Quality: Methods for Assessment

A two-pronged approach was used, combining in-person interviews and document reviews to examine data gaps and challenges. Sites were selected by the USAID mission in each country, with USAID/Washington and USAID/Uganda collecting data in four USAID-supported sites in Uganda, and MEASURE Evaluation collecting data in three sites in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. The assessment aimed to understand the data quality challenges, gaps, and successes of implementing partners (IPs) in capturing and reporting GEND_GBV. The United States President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) captures the provision of the minimum package of post-GBV clinical care through the GEND_GBV Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) indicator. GEND_GBV enables PEPFAR to determine the number of individuals suffering from and reporting GBV to clinical partners and assesses whether post-GBV clinical services are being utilized. The assessment used two data collection tools, developed by MEASURE Evaluation and USAID, with input from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The in-person assessment consisted of key informant interviews, designed to capture the IPs' understanding of the definition and components of the GEND_GBV indicator. The document review checklist was used to determine whether the necessary fields exist on GBV registers to fully track the minimum package of post-GBV care services. Data collection involved in-person interviews with a range of staff and key stakeholders in each site, including gender focal persons, clinical staff, HIV/AIDS counselors, quality assurance officers/administrators, program managers, and/or monitoring and evaluation (M&E) staff. Document reviews were conducted on GBV registers or other forms used by the IP to record services. Site-level feedback was provided to participants at the site before concluding the site visit, with more detailed feedback and recommendations provided to the site, IP, and USAID mission after findings were analyzed. The assessment revealed several challenges, including IPs being unaware that they should not report on GEND_GBV unless they provided the full minimum package of GBV clinical services. Some site-level implementers did not have the indicator reference sheet and corresponding training on GEND_GBV, leading to reporting individuals that should not be counted towards GEND_GBV. Data had to be aggregated from various sources into the GBV register or data summary sheet, which was laborious, particularly when tracking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) completion. IPs expressed concern over the lack of standardized data-collection tools across PEPFAR partners within a country and a longitudinal register to track clients better. However, one unexpected outcome of the assessment was that IPs reported that simply participating in the assessment was an intervention itself, helping them identify and correct reporting errors and gaps, thus improving data quality. Data from all 10 sites were entered into analysis matrices in Microsoft Excel to abstract relevant information. Responses were then compared across sites, synthesizing data by country in a final matrix to identify common themes and outliers. Photos of the GBV registers and forms were compiled and examined in comparison with the matrices to clarify inconsistencies and further triangulate data collection practices and potential gaps. Recommendations were developed based on common errors, gaps, and successes revealed during the assessment and based on discussion with USAID. The next steps include reassessing the data quality over time to illuminate changes and provide the opportunity for IPs to highlight improvements in their reporting process. Selecting or developing other indicators to capture the provision of post-GBV care that does not fall under GEND_GBV is also important to ensure IPs are documenting and receiving acknowledgment for their valuable efforts in addressing the GBV and HIV epidemics. Providing training or refresher trainings for IPs on the minimum package of post-GBV clinical services and how to report GEND_GBV accurately is also crucial.