title: Assessment of the monitoring and evaluation system for integrated community case management (ICCM) in Ethiopia: a comparison against global benchmark indicators.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Program managers require feasible, timely, reliable, and valid measures of iCCM implementation to identify problems and assess progress. The global iCCM Task Force developed benchmark indicators to guide implementers to develop or improve monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assesses Ethiopia's iCCM M&E system by determining the availability and feasibility of the iCCM benchmark indicators.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a desk review of iCCM policy documents, monitoring tools, survey reports, and other rele- vant documents; and key informant interviews with government and implementing partners involved in iCCM scale-up and M&E.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Currently, Ethiopia collects data to inform most (70% [33/47]) iCCM benchmark indicators, and modest extra effort could boost this to 83% (39/47). Eight (17%) are not available given the current system. Most benchmark indicators that track coordination and policy, human resources, service delivery and referral, supervision, and quality assurance are available through the routine monitoring systems or periodic surveys. Indicators for supply chain management are less available due to limited consumption data and a weak link with treatment data. Little information is available on iCCM costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benchmark indicators can detail the status of iCCM implementation; however, some indicators may not fit country priorities, and others may be difficult to collect. The government of Ethiopia and partners should review and prioritize the benchmark indicators to determine which should be included in the routine M&E system, especially since iCCMdata are being reviewed for addition to the HMIS. Moreover, the Health Extension Worker's reporting burden can be minimized by an integrated reporting approach.
authors.forename: Dereje
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mamo
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hazel
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lemma
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guenther
authors.forename: Abeba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bekele
authors.forename: Berhanu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demeke
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D005002:Ethiopia; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*