Background/Objectives: The need for evidence-based practice in the FP Programme has been acknowledged at the State policy level; however, routine data management processes did not transmit to effective data use. The Challenge Initiative (TCI) provided technical assistance to the State to implement high impact FP interventions. The objective is to demonstrate the use of innovative approaches to improving data demand and use by policy makers.
Materials and Methods: Literature was reviewed, and primary data collection conducted using individual and group interviews to assess data management processes for stakeholders and policy makers in the State. The study identified barriers and constraints to data use and proffered innovations to making data available for decision making. TCI worked with the State to strengthen their capacity on data management, ensuring that data of the highest quality is collected and inputted into the NHMIS. In an effort to strengthen the systems producing data and ensuring that its of high quality, TCI supported Abia State to implement data auditing approaches like; Data Tools Needs Assessment, Data Quality Assessment and Routine FP Data Reviews.
Results: Data used in the State FP Programme were dependent on periodic surveillance and routine data from M&E activities. As such, there was a system and individual dissatisfaction with the quality of this data in influencing policy and practices. TCI coaching support is informed by evidence collected as part of its MEL Strategy, which includes TCI's flexi-track surveys, RAISE, facility-level surveys, and participatory data collection exercises.
Conclusions: There is need to sustain systems approach to getting research into policy and practice. These proven to work approaches must connect knowledge generation and utilization at the personal and institutional level. A sustained increase in the generation of knowledge through improved research quality will contribute to improved data demand and use by policy makers.
