Effects of Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks on Service Delivery in the Health Sector In Uganda

The study examined the effects of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks on service delivery using a case study of Marie Stopes Uganda. Service delivery was implemented without an M& E framework, yet in an ideal situation, there should have been a framework for an organization of that magnitude and scope of service delivery. However this seemed not to be the case as attested by Lowe and Bellows in their 2007 report in which service delivery was not informed by baseline data during the implementation of Output Based Aid (OBA) program by Marie Stopes in Western Uganda. It was noted that the program was implemented without baseline data of the people who used to access treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the chosen centers before the OBA program (Lowe& Bellows, 2007; p.7). The purpose was to examine the effect of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks on service delivery. The methodology employed was a case study design; data was collected at Marie Stopes centers in Northern Uganda using self-administered questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and quantitative data done using SPSS. The findings indicated a positive significant relationship between principles of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, resources, M& E plans and weak positive relationship with service delivery. The study concluded that M& E frameworks i. e. principles, resources& M& E plans had an effect on service delivery; although program outputs didnt. The major limitation was the geographic focus; it was carried out in only northern Uganda and not a country wide study, secondly being a case study; generalization of the findings was limited. The study recommended that Marie stopes Uganda needs to improve and strengthen M& E principles, resources; revisit the definitions of program outputs and strengthen the M& E plans in order to improve service delivery.