Evaluations

The FGH Evaluation Department comprises a team of researchers and analysts who conduct program evaluations, and research study activities. This group is tasked with generating and analyzing evidence-based scientific data and synthesizing evidence-based results for sharing with and advising program implementers, sponsors and policymakers on successful program interventions.

This work has been supported by PEPFAR through the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), UNICEF and other sponsors, with a primary focus on HIV prevention, HIV Care and Treatment and TB services. Program evaluation activities to investigate COVID-19 mitigation and prevention measures and the pandemic’s impact on HIV service implementation in Zambézia Province were added in 2020.

Some examples of FGH’s evaluation portfolio are:

  1. HIV Prevention
    1. Evaluating acceptability, feasibility, and linkage to care in a pharmacy-based HIV self-testing program in Zambézia Province (protocol-driven)
    2. Assessing effectiveness of GBV initiative to improve access and retention to GBV services in Zambézia Province (protocol-driven)
    3. Evaluating effectiveness of lay counselor-led intensified HIV risk screening on coverage and yield of HIV testing in Zambézia Province (secondary data analysis)
    4. Evaluating effectiveness of a Mentor Mothers Program on retention in care, viral suppression and HIV-exposed infant outcomes in Zambézia Province (secondary data analysis)
    5. Evaluation of the effect of a storytelling intervention on the retention of serodiscordant couples in ART/PrEP in prenatal consultations in Zambézia Province (protocol-driven)
  2. HIV/TB Care & Treatment
    1. Assessing patient satisfaction and correlation with retention in care and viral suppression in Zambézia Province (protocol-driven)
    2. Evaluating effectiveness of Community Adherence Groups on retention in care and viral suppression in Zambézia Province (secondary data analysis)
    3. Evaluating effectiveness of SMS reminders on timely pick-up of antiretroviral therapy in Zambézia Province (secondary data analysis)
    4. Evaluating ion access to tuberculosis (TB) and HIV testing services among patients with presumptive TB in Zambézia Province (secondary data analysis)
    5. Partners-based HIV treatment for sero-concordant couples attending antenatal care services: a cohort study in Zambézia Province (2017-2022) (protocol-driven)
  3. COVID-19 Response
    1. Impact of COVID-19 on clinical outcomes and health care services among people living with HIV and health care workers (HCWs) in 5 provinces in Mozambique: a cohort study (2021-2022) (protocol-driven)
    2. Knowledge, attitude, practices and perceptions regarding COVID-19 prevention measures and access to health care among the adult population and HCWs in high-risk districts in Zambézia Province (protocol-driven)
    3. Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination among higher-risk populations in Zambézia Province, Mozambique (protocol-driven)

The secondary data analyses use programmatic data to evaluate effectiveness of currently implemented strategies, and protocol-driven evaluations, including surveys and cohort studies, allow for the collection of primary data to generate new information aimed at enhancing existing services and/or improving patient outcomes.

A comprehensive and dedicated team, experienced in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, electronic data capturing, data management, and analysis, is based both in Quelimane (in Zambézia Province), and in the capital of Maputo. The team works with faculty and staff from Vanderbilt University Medical Center for additional support in biostatistical analysis, evaluation design, and results reporting/dissemination, and collaborates closely with the Mozambique Ministry of Health and the Instituto Nacional de Saúde (National Health Institute) at the national, provincial and district levels.

All evaluations are conducted following high international ethical and scientific quality standards and meet local, VUMC IRB, and donor approval requirements.

VUMC/FGH Avante Program Evaluations
Report Number Date Approved Evaluation Reports in English and Portuguese (click to download)
10 6/12/21

Favorable Impact of Community Adherence Groups on retention in care and viral suppression rates among HIV-positive, ART-treated adults in Zambézia province, Mozambique

Impacto favorável dos Grupos de Apoio de Adesão Comunitária na retenção nos cuidados e taxas de supressão viral entre adultos HIV-positivos tratados com TARV na província da Zambézia, Moçambique
9 3/15/22

Evaluating the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Linkage to Care in a Pharmacy-Based HIV Self-Testing Program in Zambézia Province, Mozambique (Complete Report)

Avaliação da Aceitabilidade, Viabilidade e Ligação aos Cuidados de um Programa de Auto-testagem de HIV baseado nas Farmácias na Província da Zambézia, Moçambique
8 3/9/21

Positive Effects of Intensified Preventive Calls/Home Visits on Early Retention Among Adults Newly Initiated on Antiretroviral Therapy in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Efeitos positivos de chamadas preventivas intensificadas/visitas domiciliares sobre a retenção precoce entre adultos recém-iniciados em tratamento antirretroviral na província da Zambézia, Moçambique
7 11/23/20

Immunodeficiency Among HIV-positive Children in the Setting of Evolving Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Policies: 6 Years of Pediatric CD4 Data from Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Imunodeficiência entre Crianças Seropositivas no Contexto das Políticas em Evolução de Iniciação à Terapia Antirretroviral: 6 anos de Dados Pediátricos do CD4 na Província da Zambézia, Moçambique
6 8/3/20

Assessment of barriers to the diagnosis and initiation of ART for children exposed to HIV in three rural districts in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Avaliação das barreiras para o diagnóstico e início do TARV das crianças expostas ao HIV em três distritos rurais na província da Zambézia, Moçambique
5 7/14/20

Improved 12-month ART retention rates through intensive monitoring of key process measures in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Melhoria das taxas de retenção TARV aos 12 meses através da monitoria intensiva das principais medidas de processo na Província de Zambézia, Moçambique
4 4/30/20

Factors associated with discontinuation of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive adults receiving care at the Namacurra district capital health facility in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Factores associados à descontinuação da terapia antirretroviral combinada (TARV) em adultos seropositivos em tratamento na unidade sanitária da sede do distrito de Namacurra, na província da Zambézia, Moçambique
3 3/10/20

Effectiveness of short message service (SMS) reminders on timely pick-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among consenting HIV-positive adults in Zambézia province, Mozambique

Eficácia dos lembretes do serviço de mensagens curtas (SMS) no levantamento atempado da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) entre adultos HIV positivos que os aceitam na província da Zambézia, Moçambique
2 2/12/20

Assessing the Quality and Effects of GBV Clinical Services in Rural Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Avaliação da Qualidade e Efeitos dos Serviços Clínicos de VBG na Província Rural da Zambézia, Moçambique
1 9/17/19

Evaluation of Performance-Based Incentives (PBI) for Volunteer Workers in Zambézia Province: Final Results

Avaliação de incentivos baseados no desempenho (PBI) para trabalhadores voluntários na província da Zambézia: Resultados Finais
11 8/18/21

The Effect of a Mentor Mothers Program on Maternal and Infant PMTCT Outcomes in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

O efeito de um programa de Mães Mentoras nos resultados da PTMF materna e infantil na província da Zambézia, Moçambique
12 8/18/21

Evaluation of access to tuberculosis (TB) and HIV testing and treatment services among patients with presumptive TB

Avaliação do acesso à tuberculose (TB) e a serviços de testagem e tratamento de HIV entre pacientes com TB presumida
13 2/16/22

Impact of Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling optimization on Care Recipient's Clinical, Immunologic, and Virologic status at time of presentation into care

Impacto da otimização do Aconselhamento e Testagem Iniciados pelo Provedor no Estado Clínico, Imunológico e Virológico dos Recipientes dos Cuidados no momento da sua apresentação aos mesmos
14 8/18/21

Assessing Patient Satisfaction at Health Care Facilities in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Avaliação da Satisfação de Pacientes nas Unidades Sanitárias da Província da Zambézia, Moçambique
15 5/28/22

PMTCT cascade and linkage to ART among HIV-exposed infants (HEI) in the Namacurra Sede - Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Cascata de PTV e ligação ao TARV entre crianças expostas ao HIV (CEH) na Namacurra Sede - Província da Zambézia, Moçambique
16 9/27/22

Evaluation of barriers and facilitators to receiving and adhering to Option B+ for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services in Zambézia province, Mozambique

Avaliação das barreiras e facilitadores para receber e aderir aos serviços Opção B+ para a prevenção de transmissão vertical do HIV na província da Zambézia, Moçambique
17 2/1/23

Evaluation of the impact of lay counselor-led intensified HIV risk screening on the coverage and yield of HIV testing services as well as ART initiation and retention in care rates

Avaliação do impacto do rastreio intensificado do risco de HIV realizado por conselheiros leigos na cobertura e produtividade dos serviços de testagem do HIV, bem como na iniciação do TARV e retenção nos cuidados

18 4/20/23

Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Perceptions regarding COVID-19 prevention measures and access to health care services among adult population and health care workers delivering HIV services within select high-risk districts of Zambézia province, Mozambique

Conhecimento, Atitude, Práticas e Percepções sobre medidas de prevenção da COVID-19 e acesso a serviços de saúde entre a população adulta e profissionais de saúde que prestam serviços de HIV em distritos de alto risco seleccionados da província da Zambézia, Moçambique

19 3/08/24

Evaluation of Barriers and Facilitators Influencing the Uptake of Male-Friendly Clinical Services Offered in Coalane, 24 de Julho, and Maquival Sede Health Facilities in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Avaliação das Barreiras e Facilitadores que Influenciam o Uso dos Serviços Amigáveis para os Homens, Oferecidos nas Unidades Sanitárias de Coalane, 24 de Julho, e Maquival Sede, na Província da Zambézia, Moçambique