During the implementation of the Social Listening Project, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) and supported by the COVID-19 Vaccine Crisis Communication Center (CRICC), the Sydani team identified significant gaps in the documentation and coordination of Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilization (ACSM) data.
Additionally, the capacity of ACSM focal persons at both the national and sub-national levels was found to be inadequate, impeding the effective management and reporting of ACSM activities.
To address these challenges, Sydani was contracted to develop a comprehensive ACSM Data Hub, designed to guide the implementation and evaluation of ACSM activities across Nigeria.
This led to the creation of the Listening for Impact (LIP) Project, aimed at improving ACSM data management across the healthcare system.
To ensure that the ACSM Data Hub was designed to meet the specific needs at the national and sub-national levels, Sydani initiated a situational analysis to better understand the current ACSM data management landscape.
Action (Assessments/MEL/Data Management):
Sydani conducted a comprehensive situational analysis in April 2023, gathering both primary and secondary data to understand the current ACSM landscape. This process involved collecting quantitative and qualitative data on ACSM activities, including their frequency and the dynamics of ACSM data management at the national and sub-national levels.
A total of 74 surveys and 76 in-depth interviews were conducted across various levels of the healthcare system, involving stakeholders from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state health agencies, and local governments.
Additionally, key documents were reviewed to provide a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities in ACSM data management.
The insights gathered from these activities were instrumental in informing the design of the ACSM Data Hub, ensuring that it was tailored to the specific needs and realities of the ACSM focal persons and the wider healthcare system.
Result:
Findings from the situational analysis provided critical insights into the strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement in ACSM data management. These insights highlighted key challenges in coordination, reporting, and data handling, which were essential to inform the development of a robust system.
The synthesized findings were adopted by key stakeholders at both national and sub-national levels, shaping the design and functionality of the ACSM Data Hub to ensure it met the practical needs of ACSM focal persons, ultimately improving the quality and accuracy of ACSM reporting across Nigeria.
Action (Capacity Building):
To equip ACSM focal persons with the skills and knowledge required to navigate the ACSM Data Hub, Sydani conducted comprehensive capacity-building sessions using two primary strategies:
1. In-person (classroom) training:
Physical workshops were organized both at the national and sub-national levels, with a focus on the fundamentals of data management ethics, the data life cycle, and the collection of ACSM data across various activities. Participants were trained on how to use the newly developed ACSM Data Hub to manage and report data accurately. The sessions incorporated:
a. Lectures on data management best practices.
b. Hands-on training where participants were guided through the platform’s functionalities.
2. Hands-on practical exercises:
To reinforce learning, participants were grouped and assigned specific roles as data collectors, collators, and interpreters. Each group was tasked with collecting, collating, and analyzing ACSM data, and then presenting their reports using the Data Hub. This approach allowed participants to become familiar with both the data collection tools and the Data Hub’s interface in a real-world scenario.
The training was cascaded down from the national level to six pilot states: Kano, Niger, Benue, Ekiti, Bayelsa, and Enugu. At each state, 10 individuals, including M&E officers and members of the ACSM team, received intensive training. The initiative extended further to the local level, with 8 people per LGA (Health Education Officers, Officers-in-Charge, CHIPS agents, and health promotion officers) also benefiting from the capacity-building sessions.
Result:
The capacity-building efforts were highly successful in improving participants’ proficiency in ACSM data management. A post-training assessment showed that 90% of participants scored over 80% on their tests, compared to just 40% before the training, demonstrating significant improvement in their understanding and practical application of data management techniques. The ACSM focal persons were better positioned to manage, collate, and report ACSM data, ultimately strengthening the reporting dynamics at the national and sub-national levels.
Action (Product Design & Development):
Using findings from the situational analysis, Sydani developed a centralized ACSM Data Hub to streamline the collection, analysis, and dissemination of ACSM demand data. This hub, designed around finalized indicators from stakeholder input, features two core modules: the ACSM Repository and Behavioral Performance Data. The hub integrates retrospective data, social media insights, and program data to support informed decision-making for vaccination interventions.
The ACSM Repository captures data on ACSM activities, while the Behavioral Performance Data module tracks public sentiment on vaccine safety, access, and uptake. The hub consolidates various data types, including administrative data, program metrics, social listening insights, and survey findings, creating a robust platform for enhancing vaccination strategies across national and subnational levels.
Results/Achievements:
ACSM indicators were developed and validated by key stakeholders at both national and sub-national levels. Data collection tools were designed and reviewed with relevant stakeholders. The ACSM Data Hub was successfully developed and deployed for use at national, state, and LGA levels, and was well received by stakeholders for its ease of use.
