A participatory approach to using monitoring and evaluation data for program improvement

Ninety five percent of births to adolescent women occur in developing countries (UNFPA State of the World Population, 2013). To address this public health concern, a socioecological framework addressing the needs of adolescents within their communities is ideal to promote health, education, and productivity. Since 2005, a U.S.-based non-profit, Physicians for Peace (PFP), partnered with a local non-profit in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Fundacion Sol Naciente (FUSNI), to implement a program for pregnant and parenting teenagers living in nearby barrios using a community-based participatory approach. The program relies on the local community to appoint a Resource Mother (RM) using established criteria to be a mentor to pregnant and parenting clients, teens residing in the barrios. RMs are trained to be role models, counsel clients and accompany them to scheduled prenatal and well-child visits for the first year life. At any given time, 19 RMs serve approximately 150-250 pregnant and recently delivered teenagers. Using measures that were piloted and validated with the RMs, participatory monitoring and evaluation efforts assess program process indicators and maternal and child health outcomes at four different time points throughout the program. Data are entered locally into an online database and analyzed quarterly to assess progress toward program objectives. Quantitative and qualitative data are analyzed and interpreted with local partners in order to assess current program needs, adapt program areas to the local context, and identify program successes. Lessons learned and successful practices for program delivery, evaluation, and reporting will be shared.