Township Level Situational Mapping

(Malaria)

Language Guidance

This interview aims to understand the current surveillance gaps in the existing malaria
surveillance system and learn best practices amongst in-country implementing partners
and key stakeholders at the township level by assessing four areas: performance,
context and infrastructure, technology and processes, and behavior. The expected
outputs of this interview are a technical brief and situational mapping report. Digital
Square will first develop recommendations based on the identified gaps and then
facilitate the prioritization of those recommendations based on the importance and
feasibility through collaboration with NMCP and key stakeholders (e.g., NMCP, URC,
ARC, PSI, MNMA, etc.). Additionally, Digital Square will also facilitate to develop of a
specific subnational action plan that addresses the gaps and incorporates the prioritized
recommendations. These outputs will better inform surveillance system strengthening at
the township level and support the journey toward malaria elimination.
Consent

Before we begin, I would like to review some interview logistics. (Time: 30 - 60 minutes)

 At any time during our conversation, please let me know if you have any questions or
if you would rather not answer a specific question. You can also stop the interview at
any time for any reason; your participation is voluntary. Everything you tell us will be
confidential.
 Do you agree to take part in this interview?
 To protect your privacy, we will not connect your name with anything you say.
However, we would like to acknowledge you as a contributor in the final report. Is that
OK with you? If you do not wish to be listed as a contributor, we will not list your
name or organization.
 Is it OK if I audiotape this interview today? The audio recording will not be shared
with anyone outside the PATH team. It will be securely stored on the “Box”, cloud
storage. The purpose of the recording is to make sure we accurately capture your
responses.

Interviewer initial Date

Consented to be interviewed:

Consented to the audio recording:

Consented to be listed as a
contributor:
(Interviewer instruction: once consent is obtained, please initial in the boxes below to
indicate consent for participation, audio recording, and acknowledgment to be listed as a
contributor.)
 Questionnaires for State/Region/Township Level Staff

Background information of the respondent

(a) Name of State/Region:

(b) Name of township:
(c) Name of respondent:
(d) Position:
(e) Organization:
(f) Email:
(g) Phone number:
Objective 1: Malaria surveillance performance of 2022 (Jan – Dec)
1.1: Surveillance system coverage
Number of suspected cases that received a

Proportion of parasitological test (rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and/or

1 microscopy)
suspects tested
Number of all suspected cases

Number of points of care that routinely report (>80% of

the months in one year, i.e., > 10 months)
Service-delivery
2 Number of points of care included in the surveillance
reporting rate
system (integrated community malaria volunteers, basic
health staff, etc.)
1.2: Data quality

Completeness of Number of reports received in 2022

3
reporting Number of reports that were expected in 2022
How often do implementing partners (IPs) submit their
reports? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Monthly
Completeness of
☐ b. Quarterly
reporting (for
4 ☐ c. Yearly
implementing
partners (IPs)) ☐ d. Ad-hoc
☐ e. Never
☐ f. Other, specify: .…………………………………

5 Completeness of Which kind of reports is the township receiving from

reporting (for IPs) IPs? (Check all that apply)
 ☐ a. Paper-based
☐ b. Electronic
☐ c. Other, specify: .……………………

Number of reports received from IPs in 2022

Completeness of
6
reporting (for IPs)
Number of reports expected from IPs in 2022

Number of reports received in 2022 by the reporting

Timeliness of due date
7
reporting
Number of reports expected in 2022

Number of reports received from IPs in 2022 by the

Timeliness of reporting due date
8
reporting (for IPs)
Number of reports expected from IPs in 2022

Completeness of Number of reports received in 2022 with all core

9 core variables variables completed

within reports
Number of reports received in 2022

Consistency Number of reports received in 2022 where all

10 between core consistency checks between core variables are passed

variables
Number of reports received in 2022

Completeness of Number of registers completed in 2022 with 100% of

11 core variables core variables completed

within registers
Number of registers completed in 2022

1.3: Data Use

Data reviewed for

12 Number of data review meetings held in 2022
monitoring (a)

Are there any prioritized action items/ next steps come

out based on the data review meeting?
Data reviewed for
13 ☐ a. Yes
monitoring (b)
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
 Is there any follow-up on the progress of previous
action items?
Data reviewed for
14 ☐ a. Yes
monitoring (c)
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
If there is a follow-up, please mention how it is
conducted.
Data reviewed for
15
monitoring (d)
….....................................................................................
….....................................................................................
Data are used to
16
produce routine Number of any analytical reports produced for 2022?
outputs (a)
Data are used to
Number of malaria epidemic monitoring graphs
17 produce routine
produced for 2022
outputs (a)
Top three challenges of township health system for data utilization.

1. ………………………………………………………………………………………
18
2. ………………………………………………………………………………………

3. ………………………………………………………………………………………

(Note: Data collection method for Objective 1 includes a desk review of the historical dataset and
survey/interview to the respective focal person)

Objective 2: Context and infrastructure

2.1: Surveillance guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
 Do you know about these national guidelines for malaria surveillance? (Check all that apply)

Don't A little Very

Familiar
Know familiar familiar
a. National Strategic Plan
(2021-2025)
b. National M&E Plan
19 (2021-2025)
c. Malaria Elimination Field
Implementation Manual (2020)

d. Malaria Surveillance in
Elimination Settings (2017)
e. Guidelines & SOPs for
Entomological Monitoring &
Surveillance (2017)
Do you have a copy of each malaria surveillance guideline(s)? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Yes, hard copy shown (record the name and version)
☐ b. Yes, only soft copy available
20
☐ c. No
☐ d. Not Applicable

2.2: Resource (staff, equipment, infrastructure, etc.)

How many staff are required for malaria surveillance activities (e.g., case management, data
management, case investigation, focus investigation, response, etc.) here?
21 (Please provide a number)
_______

How many staff are required for malaria surveillance are currently available here? (Please
22 provide number)
_______

Do malaria staff carry out the following surveillance activities? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Data collection (entering patient information)
☐ b. Data reporting (compiling malaria case reports)
☐ c. Conducting data quality review of malaria case data
23 ☐ d. Conducting data analysis of malaria case data and data use
☐ e. Preparing dissemination reports (such as bulletins, newsletters, and feedback reports)
☐ f. Supervision
☐ g. Don't know
☐ h. Other, specify: ............................
Please share the top three challenges for completing surveillance activities.
1. ………………………………………………………………………………….
24 2. ………………………………………………………………………………….
3. ………………………………………………………………………………….

25 Who is responsible for Case Investigation, Foci Investigation, and Response (CIFIR) activities?
(Check all that apply)
☐ a. Health facility in-charge
☐ b. Malaria focal person
☐ c. BHS
 ☐ d. Don't know
☐ e. Other, specify: …...........................
Does the township hospital participate in data collection and reporting?
☐ a. Yes
26
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
Do station hospitals participate in data collection and reporting?
☐ a. Yes
27
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
Do non-ministry/public sector partners participate in data collection and reporting?
☐ a. Yes
28 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know

Do private sector partners participate in data collection and reporting?

☐ a. Yes
29 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
Which mobile telecommunications carrier can be used in your area? (Check all that apply)
a. MPT
b. Telenor/ATOM
30 c. Ooredoo
d. MyTel
e. Others, specify: …………………………………………….

Name of mobile operator which you are currently using? (Check all that apply)
a. MPT
b. Telenor/ATOM
31
c. Ooredoo
d. MyTel
e. Others, specify: …………………………………………….
Which connection is the best in your area?
a. MPT
b. Telenor/ATOM
32 c. Ooredoo
d. MyTel
e. Others, specify: …………………………………………….

Is internet accessible in your assigned location?

a. Yes
33
b. No

What is the source of internet at your office?

☐ a. Fiber internet (Wi-Fi)
34 ☐ b. Portable router (Wi-Fi)
☐ c. Mobile data

35 Do you require the following items to record and report malaria data?
(Check all that apply)
☐ a. Patient register books
 ☐ b. Paper forms
☐ c. Computers
☐ d. Printer
☐ e. Mobile phone(s)
☐ f. Mobile network connection (voice or SMS)
☐ g. Internet connection (mobile or fixed)
☐ h. Electricity
☐ i. Other, specify: .……………………………………………
Which equipment required was consistently available in the last 30 days?
(Check all that apply)
☐ a. Patient register books
☐ b. Paper forms
☐ c. Computers
36 ☐ d. Printer
☐ e. Mobile phone(s)
☐ f. Mobile network connection (voice or SMS)
☐ g. Internet connection (mobile or fixed)
☐ h. Electricity
☐ i. Other, Specify: .…………………………………………….
For electronic equipment: in the last 30 days, select which equipment required was functional?
(Check all that apply)
☐ a. Computers
☐ b. Printer
37 ☐ c. Mobile phone(s)
☐ d. Mobile network connection (voice or SMS)
☐ e. Internet connection (mobile or fixed)
☐ f. Electricity
☐ g. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
If the office has a computer/laptop, please provide the functional status.
☐ a. Fully functioning
☐ b. Totally damaged (not repairable)
38 ☐ c. Damaged and cannot used (it can be used if repaired)
☐ d. Partially damaged, but currently using (e.g., keyboard/display/battery/ window errors/etc.)
☐ e. Don't know
☐ f. Other, specify: .......................................
Objective 3: Technical and processes
3.1: Recording
Which tools are used to record malaria case data here? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Malaria Surveillance System (MSS)
☐ b. Malaria Case-Based Reporting and Surveillance (MCBRS)
39 ☐ c. Carbonless
☐ d. Open Data Kit (ODK)
☐ e. Don't know
☐ f. Other, specify: .…………………………
 Where are completed forms and/or registers stored? (carbonless)
☐ a. Sent to central level (country)
☐ b. Sent to subnational level (district/region)
☐ c. At the township in a secure location (clean, dry, can store up to five years data, e.g.,
40
cabinet)
☐ d. At the township, and is not secured
☐ e. Not stored

Where are completed forms and/or registers stored? (electronic)

☐ a. Sent to central level (country)
☐ b. Sent to subnational level (district/region)
☐ c. At the township in a secure location (cloud storage/ any storage with backup that can store
41
up to 5 to 10 years of data)
☐ d. At the township, and is not secured
☐ e. Not stored

Who records malaria case data here? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. ICMVs
☐ b. BHS (Health Assistant/Lady Health Visitor/Public Health Supervisor-1/PHS-2/ Midwife)
☐ c. General Practitioners
☐ d. Malaria focal person of facility (Malaria Assistant/ Malaria Inspector/ Malaria Supervisor/
42 Permanent Sprayer)
☐ e. Don't know
☐ f. Other, specify: .…………………………………………

What are the key challenges with recording malaria case data? (electronic)
(Check all that apply)
☐ a. Not enough staff
☐ b. I'm required to do it even though it's not my assigned role
☐ c. I have other responsibilities outside of malaria that take priority
☐ d. I haven't received enough training to do it well
☐ e. The guidelines for this activity are not clear
43 ☐ f. It's too difficult/complicated to use
☐ g. It takes too much time
☐ h. Office equipment issue (no laptop/ total damaged)
☐ i. Connectivity issue
☐ j. Electricity issue
☐ k. Don't know
☐ l. No issues
☐ m. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
Are CIFIR activities conducted in this area?
☐ a. Yes
44 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
(If no, skip questions 45, 51, 52)
 What tool(s) are used to record data from case investigation? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Paper form(s)
☐ b. MCBRS/DHIS-2
☐ c. Text/phone call
45
☐ d. CIFIR app
☐ e. Don't know
☐ f. Other developed solution, specify: .…………………………………………….

Is the standard tool (carbonless) issued by the national program?

☐ a. Yes
46
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
Is the standard tool (electronic) issued by the national program?
☐ a. Yes
47
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
3.2: Reporting
Which malaria variables are included in the recording and reporting tool (electronic)?
(For IP) (Check all that apply)
48
See attached document for malaria variables.
How often do you report malaria case data?
☐ a. Real-time
☐ b. Daily
49
☐ c. Weekly
☐ d. Monthly
☐ e. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
Where is the monthly report sent to? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. State/Regional level
50 ☐ b. Central level
☐ c. Not applicable
☐ d. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
Where is the CIFIR form/report sent to? (Check all that apply) (for NMCP)
☐ a. Subnational level
51 ☐ b. Central level
☐ c. Not applicable
☐ d. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
Where is the CIFIR form/report sent to? (Check all that apply) (for IP)
☐ a. IP_Head Office
☐ b. NMCP_Township Office
52 ☐ c. NMCP_State/Region Office
☐ d. NMCP_Central
☐ e. Not applicable
☐ f. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
3.3: Analysis
Which malaria indicators are included in the routine expected output? (Check all that apply)
53
See attached document for malaria indicators.
 What is included in these outputs/dissemination materials? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Trends over time for all WHO core facility indicators
☐ b. Trends over time for IPTp coverage (if applicable)
☐ c. Trends over time but not all recommended indicators are included
☐ d. Monitoring of treatment
54 ☐ e. Monitoring of stockouts
☐ f. Descriptive maps
☐ g. Stratified maps
☐ h. Trends over time for patients tested for malaria
☐ i. Trends over time for confirmed malaria cases (by parasite species, if applicable)
☐ j. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
3.4: Quality assurance
How often are data quality assurance activities (DQA) usually performed before submitting to the
next (higher) level?
☐ a. Monthly
☐ b. Quarterly
55 ☐ c. Yearly
☐ d. Ad-hoc
☐ e. Never
☐ f. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
Who usually performed the data quality assurance activities (DQA) before submitting to the next
(higher) level?
☐ a. In charge of township VBDC (vector borne disease control)
☐ b. Data encoder
56 ☐ c. Higher level (State/Regional) level staff
☐ d. Data focal person from township health department
☐ e. No one
☐ f. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
3.5: Data access
How many malaria surveillance staff within the township have access to malaria surveillance
data?
57
…………
Do malaria surveillance staff here have access to the following? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Raw databases
☐ b. Cleaned/updated databases
☐ c. Dashboards
58
☐ d. Reports
☐ e. Meetings where data summaries are presented and/or discussed
☐ f. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….

How do malaria surveillance staff access data? (Check all that apply)
☐ a. Log-in
☐ b. Manager/supervisor shares
59 ☐ c. Data request
☐ d. Don't know
☐ e. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….

Objective 4: Behavior
4.1: Governance
Do you have a subnational workplan that includes malaria implementation activities? (Request
the documentation if possible)
☐ a. Yes (copy shown)
60 ☐ b. Yes (copy not shown)
☐ c. No
☐ d. Don't know
Do you have a list of monitoring indicators to review subnational implementation activities?
☐ a. Yes (copy shown)
61 ☐ b. Yes (copy not shown)
☐ c. No
☐ d. Don't know
Do you have a list of malaria epidemiology prevention, control, and treatment indicators to
monitor disease trends?
☐ a. Yes (copy shown)
62 ☐ b. Yes (copy not shown)
☐ c. No
☐ d. Don't know
4.2: Supervision
Is there a supervision plan in place for malaria surveillance tasks?
☐ a. Yes
63 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
Is there surveillance supervision documentation available (e.g., checklist)?
☐ a. Yes (copy shown)
64 ☐ b. Yes (copy not shown)
☐ c. No
☐ d. Don't know
Are all supervision activities carried out as per guidance/checklist of NMCP (or) Disease
Surveillance for Malaria Control WHO guidance?
65 ☐ a. Yes
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
Do you know who to ask/contact for support for surveillance tasks?
☐ a. Yes
66
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
Were any supervision visits conducted in 2022?
☐ a. Yes, (provide number)
67 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
4.3: Surveillance staff proficiency
Were there any supervision visits received from higher health departments in 2022?
☐ a. Yes, (provide number)
68 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
 From which level/health department did you receive supervision?
☐ a. State/Region
69
☐ b. National/Central

During the previous supervision visit, the supervisor checked data quality.
☐ a. Yes
70 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know

During the previous supervision visit, the supervisor discussed your health facility's performance
based on the data quality.
71 ☐ a. Yes
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
During the previous supervision visit, did the supervisor help you to take corrective action based
on the data quality review?
☐ a. Yes
72
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
☐ d. Not applicable
The supervisor sent report/written feedback after the previous supervision visit.
☐ a. Yes
73 ☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
☐ d. Not applicable
Read the statement below and indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the statement.
"Supervisors provide high-quality support and management for surveillance activities."
☐ a. Strongly disagree
74 ☐ b. Disagree
☐ c. Normal
☐ d. Agree
☐ e. Strongly agree
Have you/your surveillance staff/all surveillance staff at this level/health facilities received
surveillance training in the previous year?
75 ☐ a. Yes
☐ b. No
☐ c. Don't know
76 What surveillance activities were covered in the training?
☐ a. Data collection (recording patient information)
☐ b. Data reporting (compiling malaria case reports)
☐ c. Conducting data quality review of malaria case data
☐ d. Conducting data analysis of malaria case data and data use
☐ e. Preparing dissemination reports (such as bulletins, newsletters, feedback reports)
☐ f. Supervision
☐ g. Case notification
☐ h. Case investigation
☐ i. Case classification
☐ j. Foci investigation
☐ k. Foci classification
☐ l. Microplanning/response
 ☐ m. Quality assurance of lab data
☐ n. Training for microscopy
☐ o. Don't know
☐ p. Other, specify: .…………………………………………….
4.4: Digital literacy of Township focal/ BHS/ ICMV (Integrated community-based malaria
volunteers=ICMV, Basic health Staffs= BHS)
Type of mobile phone which you are currently using?
a. Keypad
77 b. Smart phone (Android OS)
c. Smart phone (iOS)
d. N/A
How often do you use the following applications?
(To assess text messaging and media sharing)

Never Sometimes Often Always

Social media (Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter)
78
Instant message
(Messenger, Viber,
Telegram, Signal, etc.)

Text message (SMS)

Do you have experience in participating in online surveys?

a. Yes
79
b. No

If yes, how many times did you participated in last three years?
a. 1 to 5
80
b. 6 to 10
c. 10 or more
Do you have experience using digital reporting tools (MSS, Excel, word, PowerPoint) on a PC?
81 a. Yes
b. No
If yes, please specify the frequency of using digital reporting. (Check all that apply)
a. Weekly
b. Monthly
82
c. Quarterly
d. Bi-annually
e. Annually
83 Are you familiar with the following tasks/ Have you ever done the following tasks?

General Function of Window OS (Operation System)

a. Copy and move files and folders.
b. Save/upload files on internet storage space (cloud e.g., Google Drive or one cloud).
c. Use search engine and self-learning.
d. Send/receive email.
Data management/analysis and use
a. Develop Excel reporting form.
b. Use of pivot table in Excel.
c. Develop power query.
d. Develop aggregate table and dashboard using Microsoft excel.
d. Develop aggregate table and dashboard using Power BI.
e. Use of statical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata).
f. Write SQL Syntax.
g. Draw maps with GIS software.