Landscape of Nutrition Indicators within Government-Led Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in 16 PEPFAR-Funded Countries

The study included countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of Haiti and Vietnam. The analysis focused on health-related M&E systems, including general health management information systems (HMIS), HIV-specific M&E systems, tuberculosis (TB)-specific M&E systems, and nutrition-related M&E systems. The study found that all 16 countries had some nutrition-specific indicators in their government-led M&E systems. On average, 20 nutrition indicators were identified per country, with a total of 321 nutrition-related indicators identified in the 16 focus countries. Nearly half of the indicators were collected through health management information systems, and a little over half through other systems. This may imply that a significant number of nutrition indicators are maintained by parallel government-led M&E systems. The indicators were categorized by the components of NACS—nutrition assessment, counseling, and support—that they relate to. Table 2 provides examples of the indicators categorized by NACS components. Indicators related to malnutrition are listed as a subset of nutrition assessment, in order to see which nutrition indicators specifically refer to malnutrition. The indicators were also categorized by target group, including pregnant and lactating women, people living with HIV (PLHIV), or TB clients. Additionally, the indicators were related to specific interventions, such as growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) and micronutrient supplementation. Country profiles were also developed to briefly describe the M&E system in which each indicator was located, the NACS components the indicators relate to, the specific target group for each indicator, and any intervention the indicator is related to. The country profiles provide a snapshot of the nutrition indicators in each country and highlight the diversity of indicators used across the 16 focus countries. The analysis highlights the importance of nutrition indicators in government-led M&E systems and the need for a comprehensive approach to monitoring and evaluation. The study provides a foundation for future research and programming efforts aimed at strengthening government-led M&E systems for nutrition programs in PEPFAR-funded countries. The study found that the majority of indicators were related to nutrition assessment, with a smaller number of indicators related to counseling and support. The indicators were also found to be diverse, with a range of target groups and interventions represented. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to monitoring and evaluation that takes into account the diversity of indicators and target groups. The analysis also highlights the importance of nutrition indicators in government-led M&E systems, particularly in the context of PEPFAR-funded countries. The study provides a foundation for future research and programming efforts aimed at strengthening government-led M&E systems for nutrition programs in these countries. The study's findings have implications for the development of effective M&E systems for nutrition programs in PEPFAR-funded countries. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to monitoring and evaluation that takes into account the diversity of indicators and target groups. The study also highlights the importance of nutrition indicators in government-led M&E systems and the need for a coordinated approach to monitoring and evaluation.