Table 4 Summary of study designs and data sources used to address each research objective
From: Taking stock: protocol for evaluating a family planning supply chain intervention in Senegal
Research objectives | Study design | Data sources |
|---|---|---|
1. OUTCOME AND IMPACT EVALUATION Determine the effect of the intervention on contraceptive stock availability in SDPsa and on contraceptive use among women | Non-randomised study with stepped-wedge design of FP stock availability in SDPs | • National annual surveys of health facilities (SPAb) and women of reproductive age (DHSc) |
4-year time series of monthly FPa stock availability and number of consultations in SDPs | • Survey of 200 SDPs and corresponding district, regional and central storerooms | |
2. PROCESS EVALUATION Assess the extent to which the intervention was implemented as designed, and how 3PLsa functioned within the health system | Document and indicator review | • Funding documents and proposals • Project reports and monthly indicator data from implementer |
Ethnographic study of implementation, acceptability of 3PLs within health systems and potential unintended consequences | • Repeat in-depth interviews with key informants • Interviews with stakeholders at all levels of distribution system • Ethnographic study of 3PLs • Reflective implementation diaries by clinic managers | |
3. ASSESSMENT OF CONTEXTUAL FACTORS Describe how contextual factors affected the effect of the intervention on contraceptive use | Descriptive analysis of regional variations in quality of FP services | • National annual surveys of health facilities (SPA) |
Descriptive analysis of women’s access to SDPs | • Ministry of Health GPS coordinates for SDPs • National census data | |
Assessment of implementation intensity of other FP-related activities by region | • In-depth interviews with FP actors in Senegal • Policy documents and reports from other organisations providing FP services | |
4. ECONOMIC EVALUATION Estimate the cost of the intervention and its cost-effectiveness compared to the current supply chain distribution model | Comparison of total cost of intervention and current distribution models | • Survey of 80 SDPs and corresponding district, regional and central storerooms • Review of funding documents |
Time and motion study of time spent managing, operating and delivering FP products to SDPs | • Interviews with clinic managers and 3PLs • Self-reported timesheets by SDP staff involved in supply chain activities | |
Cost-effectiveness analysis | • Costs from the costing analysis and effects from the impact evaluation combined to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) |