Conducting a Participatory Situation Analysis of.pdf - Global HIV ...

This Guide does not present steps for undertaking
analysis or data gathering related to governmental and
nongovernmental sector systems and structures (e.g.,
policy/laws, mass media, economic situation); such
steps are available in a companion document prepared
by Population, Health, and Nutrition Information
Project (PHNI). 1 The PHNI document provides a
comprehensive framework for gathering a broader
spectrum of information on the situation of OVC.
For example, it suggests ways to assess policy and regulatory
environments. The PHNI resource is arranged
by topic area, such as demographics, health, economic
issues, education, social and psychosocial wellbeing,
and laws and policy. It also suggests key
questions that need to be asked under each topic area.
This Guide (by FHI/IMPACT) differs from the
PHNI document in that this one offers a step-wise
approach to undertaking information-gathering and
analysis. Using this Guide and the PHNI resource
together makes it possible to develop a tailored
process that best addresses specific information needs
for a specific situation.
How Is This Guide Organized?
This Guide includes seven chapters and eight appendices.
The seven chapters provide background information
and guidance on key steps in a situation
analysis, including organizing advisory and data collection
teams; determining analysis priorities; gathering,
managing, and analyzing the data; developing the
report; and disseminating the findings to mobilize
action. The eight appendices include a resource list,
examples of data collection tools, and other materials.
Whose Situation Are We Trying To Assess?
Definitions of “orphan” and “vulnerable children”
A situation analysis is a mechanism for gathering and
analyzing data.As such, obtaining useful and quality data
depends on having clear parameters to minimize
ambiguous findings and interpretations.A top priority is
specificity in defining the groups or conditions to be
analyzed.The level of specificity used to define the subjects
of the situation analysis is likely (and expected) to
differ from the definitions used by other nations, communities,
and organizations that are implementing OVC
programs.There are various definitions of “orphans and
vulnerable children”; some country-level definitions are
used for legal purposes, while other definitions are used
for programming frameworks.At the community and
programmatic levels community members and stakeholders
know that targeting programs exclusively to
HIV/AIDS-affected children or to children whose parents
have died due to AIDS can have negative consequences,
such as further stigmatization or discrimination
against these children. Therefore, defining program beneficiaries
can and indeed must be a subjective process.
Establishing non-program-specific baselines or tracking
the well-being of children at the national or sub-national
levels requires more objective definitions.
For the exclusive purpose of data gathering, it is helpful
to establish criteria to identify those who will be the
subjects of the research. For example, a survey interviewer
approaches a house and must ask questions that
will determine if a household member qualifies to be
interviewed (e.g., Does a child who has lost one or both
parents live here? Is someone in the household suffering
from an illness lasting three or more months?).Thus, it
may be necessary to conduct formative research to
establish definitions before commencing primary data
collection for the situation analysis.To initiate discussion,
the Advisory Team should review existing country
definitions and the following definitions adapted from in
Children on the Brink 2004:
• Maternal orphan: Child under age 18 whose
mother, and perhaps father, has died
• Paternal orphan: Child under age 18 whose
father, and perhaps mother, has died
• Double orphan: Child under age 18 whose
mother and father have died
• Vulnerable child: Child whose survival, wellbeing,
or development is threatened by HIV/AIDS
or other life-threatening illnesses.
Note: Analysis of secondary data may present challenges if definitions of orphan and/or vulnerable child vary across
data sets. For example, data may be limited by age parameters.This variance must be clearly reported.
1 Conducting a Situation Analysis of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: A Framework and
Resource Guide, PHNI, February 2004.
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Guidelines and Tools