Côte d'Ivoire: Consultancy for Data management software training for Vitamin A Post Event Coverage Survey (STATA and ODK)

Background: Vitamin A Supplementation and Post Event Coverage Surveys

Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) for children under 5 years of age has been a cornerstone of global child survival programs for decades, and VAS has been shown to have positive impacts on reducing child mortality. The World Health Organization recommends that all children 6-59 months receive high-dose VAS every 4 to 6 months in areas where the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is ≥ 20% among young children, and more than 80 countries currently have universal VAS programs in place. In SSA, VAS has mainly been provided through National Immunization Days (NID) and polio Supplemental Immunization Activities. As these activities involve providing essential childhood vaccines through door-to-door delivery, coverage has generally been high (> 80%) for both immunizations and VAS, compared to the lower coverage typically achieved through health facility-based delivery. More recently, semiannual Child Health Days or Child Health Weeks (CHWs), which utilize a fixed-site community-based approach rather than household visits, have become a key delivery platform for VAS in SSA. Funding constraints and successful polio eradication efforts are shifting the policy and program focus away from NIDs and CHWs to the integration of VAS into routine immunization services. Restructuring vitamin A delivery presents challenges to sustained high coverage and careful assessment and documentation of post supplementation coverage rates for different delivery platforms is needed.

The Post-Event Coverage Surveys (PECS) is the primary method by which coverage is assessed. Helen Kellen International (HKI) routinely delivers these surveys in 12 countries in support of government led VAS initiatives. Over the past éyears, 8 surveys have been implemented and it is imperative that data is adequately entered, cleaned, and analyzed to maximize use. HKI uses STATA software to manage and analyze PECS data sets across its Vitamin A programs. To ensure appropriate use and reporting it is imperative that staff have the capacity to manipulate data is STATA.

Objective of the Consultancy

To strengthen the capacity of the Vitamin A Program Coordinator, and Monitoring and Evaluation officer at the country level to manage research data using ODK and STATA software, HKI is seeking the consultant to train its project managers.

The Role of the Consultant

Strengthen the capacity of the Vitamin A Program Coordinator and Monitoring and Evaluation officers to manage PECS data using ODK and STATA software. Countries represented include Guinea, Mali, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya.

Scope of Work

The consultant will:

1. Train participants on the sampling methodology according to the WHO manual (Version 2015) as well as in the development of a standard research protocol (coverage survey);

2. Introduce participants to the design of data collection forms on ODK online and off-line format as well as the development of the analysis plan linked to the form

Train Project Managers on the use of the Stata software on the following notions: Descriptive statistics (functions and expressions, file extensions, variable management, and basic statistical tabulation commands, graphics, matrices, regressions, mapping of indicators in Stata, programming), and analytical statistics;

1. Develop .do file templates for PECS surveys that generate simple descriptive statistics

2. Train participants to organize the survey report through a specific example and a practical application

3. Develop simple and standard word document table templates that can be used for reporting purposes

Expected results

At the end of this training, project managers should be able to:

• Develop a PECS research protocol ;

• Design forms in ODK format;

• Develop a data analysis plan;

• Understand how to screen for aberrant data

• Develop and store .do files

• Use STATA software for data analysis to generate key descriptive statistics

• Populate an investigation report with key descriptive statistics

Methods

Given the different needs of different countries and the varying capacity of actors to use ODK forms, conduct surveys, and manipulate STATA software, this training will need to be interactive in nature and respond to the needs of program managers.

The training methodology will use the theoretical databases essential to show the importance and the issues since the design of a study protocol, the development of questionnaires and or data collection forms, monitoring of data collection, data, data clearance, data analysis, and report writing.

The sharing of practical content must not be less than 70% of the time allotted to the training workshop and must relate to practical exercises that consider trainee projects (i.e. databases), role plays, and group assignments for a better uptake of information by the participants.

The training will be done in two sessions of 5 days each. The first session will be in French, and the second will be conducted in English.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and share a guide (step by step) for the development of a protocol, sampling, form design, data analysis, as well as an analysis plan and template .do files.

• Write the training evaluation report including recommendations specific to each actor in relation to the practical aspects linked to the training. This report must include the evaluation sheets of the training workshop in relation to the conditions of its course and especially the content.

• Develop and share a guide training materials used or developed for the needs of this mission.

Qualifications required

· Hold at least a MSc in a relevant field (e.g., public health, statistics or epidemiology)

· Demonstrated experience in advanced statistical analysis and research

· At least 7 years of experience in Stata software utilization and training others

· At least 3 years in ODK form creation and training people to use it and Stata 15 utilization at professional level for data analysis.

· Demonstrated experience in conducting coverage survey using mobile data collection technology

· Good knowledge of information and communication technology,

· Fluent in English and French

· Good report writing skill in both in English and French

Expected deliverables

Deliverable

Est. LoE

Timeline

Preparation of tools and training materials at home

4 days

From 25 to 28 February 2020

Preparation meeting with the regional agent and global discussion on the mission (review of training tools, training methodology)

2 days

From 2 to 3 March 2020

Training realization and development of template files

10 days

From 4 to 14 March 2020

Summary meeting and presentation of the results and of the overall training report (progress, inventory, assessment of stakeholders, recommendations)

4 days

From 16 to 19 March 2020

Please provide your CV and three references who can be contacted by HKI. These references should be existing structures with similar service requirements to HKI. Please submit your proposal to KRecruitment@hki.org , CIrecuitement@hki.org noting in the subject line: « Consultancy for the training of STATA program managers» before the date of February 12, 2020 at 5 p.m.