The value of engaging stakeholders in planning and implementing evaluations

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Program Evaluation
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Stakeholder participation is crucial for the success of HIV prevention initiatives.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employs a specific framework to integrate stakeholders into program evaluations.
• This framework aims to leverage diverse perspectives for improved program outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the CDC's stakeholder engagement framework for program evaluation.
• To illustrate the application of this framework through four case studies.
• To identify key lessons learned and benefits of participatory evaluation in HIV prevention.

Main Methods:

• Description of a four-phase CDC evaluation framework: planning, implementation, action plan development, and dissemination.
• Presentation of four studies involving diverse stakeholders (health departments, community organizations, national/regional bodies).
• Qualitative insights on the participatory process and its outcomes.

Main Results:

• Stakeholder involvement across all evaluation phases yielded results useful for program improvement.
• Key facilitators for success included a dedicated coordinator and consistent communication.
• Stakeholders reported benefits from diverse perspectives and enhanced understanding of service agencies.

Conclusions:

• Participatory evaluation, guided by a structured framework, is highly beneficial for HIV prevention programs.
• Action planning based on evaluation findings is a critical step for program enhancement.
• Despite challenges, the collaborative approach fosters greater understanding and program effectiveness.