What is it?
Digging deeper with follow-on analyses helps gain a fuller picture of implementation and contextual realities that are often needed to take action. FASTR applies a variety of approaches – including root cause analysis and implementation research – that offer a deeper understanding of changes in RMNCAH-N service delivery, supporting the analyze-to-action cycle. These approaches:
- Diagnose underlying root causes of service delivery challenges to inform tailored policy and program interventions.
- Efficiently identify implementation challenges.
- Enable rapid assessment of interventions and how contextual factors are influencing implementation.
- Capture the perspective of multiple actors within the health system (e.g., at the national, district, health facility, and community levels).
How does it work?
Root cause analysis approaches provide a quick assessment of the current situation and diagnosis key challenges to inform specific policies and programs, or in response to shocks. These approaches are initiated in response to a challenge picked up from analysis using other FASTR rapid-cycle analytic approaches – for example, a sudden drop in service use identified via analysis of health management information systems data or a challenge with community trust uncovered through the rapid-cycle health facility survey. Follow-up data collection methods are quickly deployed to a targeted sample where the issue has been identified. This enables a timely diagnosis of key challenges, allows decision makers to dig deeper into root causes, and supports country stakeholders with the necessary implementation and contextual insights to take action.
In cases where rapid cycle analytics point to possible problems with the delivery of key interventions/services (i.e., how they are implemented), follow-on implementation research to understand these implementation challenges can identify key service delivery changes or adaptations to optimize performance. Implementation research focuses more deeply on understanding the critical factors affecting implementation—in particular contextual factors—as well as how and why certain implementation issues enhance or hinder achievement of desired results.
Figure. Steps to dig deeper with follow-on analyses
Tools and Resources
Root cause analysis to diagnosis supply chain stock-outs
Coming soon!
Supporting the GFF’s Implementation Research and Evaluation strategy
FASTR’s approaches support the GFF’s broader Implementation Research and Evaluation strategy by providing timely data that is responsive to decision-making and learning needs.
Results and Data Use
In Nigeria, subnational analysis of RMNCAH-N service use coupled with qualitative inquiry at the state, local government, health facility, and community levels helped to understand drivers of primary health care performance during the COVID-19 pandemic with a view to strengthen health security and pandemic preparedness. These findings were used to inform the development of continuity of essential health service guidelines in Nigeria.
More reports and available datasets are in the FASTR Resource Repository – click here.