Field experiences: measuring capacity building efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes

To present a theoretical and practical means for the evaluation of organizational and institutional development (capacity building) in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in developing countries.

Multiple frameworks, methodologies and paradigms for the evaluation of organizational and institutional development were reviewed and synthesized, resulting in this proposed pluralistic model for the measurement of capacity building efforts. Traditional forms of capacity building evaluation (self-assessment, case study, outcome, and impact evaluation) are presented and a framework for their integration at the level of interpretation and inference is provided. The review is based on experiences in measuring capacity building in more than 20 countries and 200 projects, ranging from communications and behavior change initiatives to condom social marketing to sexually transmitted disease/HIV clinical interventions with a range of international and local non-governmental organizations and ministries of health.

From this experience, we have found that conducting a mixed method evaluation of capacity building efforts allows for a more insightful assessment of capacity building and a more comprehensive evaluation of HIV prevention programmes.

The capacity building conceptual framework developed (linking strategies, variables and outcomes) provides an instructive paradigm for the evaluation of HIV prevention interventions worldwide.