Building local data infrastructure and capacity in the Philippines: Supporting the development of coalitions for substance abuse prevention

Background/Significance. There is growing interest in using a coalition model for substance abuse prevention and applying it to international settings. We will discuss coalition building efforts in the Philippines and how these efforts have undergone a careful consideration of language, cultural and contextual fit. Additionally, data and evaluation considerations are valuable to this effort since quality, local data are needed to engage in effective assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and sustainability of coalition efforts. Objective/Purpose. Intensive efforts to train two communities in Metro Manila in effective coalition building was complemented with efforts to build data capacity to support community-based substance abuse prevention work. The project focused on building relationships between the target communities and data experts in the Philippines so that data supports could be sustained long-term. Methods. Data experts within the local municipalities in which coalition building efforts were occurring and researchers at the National Institute of Health-University of Philippines Manila (NIH-UPM) were sought out. This relationship development was critical to providing ongoing technical assistance for local communities' data needs. Localized, participatory approach to coalition building and data infrastructure development allows for stronger institutionalization of the coalition model and substance abuse prevention efforts. Results. A data resource directory was developed to support local coalition building efforts in Metro Manila. This directory includes a listing of both data experts within target communities and also at NIH-UPM. These individuals and agencies agreed to support coalitions with expertise in a variety of areas, including GIS mapping, household surveys, data analysis and survey development. Local coalitions are using this resource directory to guide their needs and resource assessments to effectively develop environmental strategies to address substance use in their communities. Discussion/Conclusions. International efforts to address substance abuse using the coalition model require an equal emphasis on coalition building and data infrastructure.