Project Description
I am undertaking my internship with Family Planning New South Wales International (hereafter FPNSW International), a non-government organisation (NGO) that delivers sexual and reproductive health
and rights-based programs to Pacific-island nations. FPNSW International has three key program areas: cervical cancer screening program (health focussed), comprehensive sexuality education program (education focused), and contraceptives (combined education and health focused). My internship is taking place with the cervical cancer screening program, with a specific focus on the Solomon Islands, which is funded by the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), run by the Australian Federal Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Under the guidance of my supervisors, I have undertaken a review of the Solomon Islands ANCP CCS data capture templates (Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and Word documents), and a brief analysis of the available data. To enhance my knowledge of the program, I have read the FPNSW International Development Effectiveness Framework, CCS training documents, the Memorandum of Understanding with
the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and numerous other relevant documents, communications and updates.
Following this initial analysis, I have commenced interviewing employees at FPNSW International to gain an understanding of how the data is collected, analysed and used, who the key stakeholders are, how the data could or should be used, and what improvements could be made. I have spoken to the nurse educator whose role is to train and mentor nurses and midwives to undertake CCS and data collection; to two senior research officers who were involved in establishing the initial CCS in the Solomon Islands and are experts in data capture; and to the previous manager of FPNSW’s International Programme.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Boe Calvert is a Student Intern with Community Internship and Partnerships for SDGs completing their internship with NSW Family Planning.
Outcomes to Date
To be finalised;
Project Significance
I have developed a project in collaboration with my primary and secondary supervisors on analysing and evaluating the ANCP data capture templates and processes of the organisation. This update provides a brief overview of the project, the tasks undertaken to date, significant challenges identified, and the plan for completion of the project.
Challenges Identified
During the course of this project I have identified several challenges both specific to the data capture process and to the working environment of the organisation more broadly. These challenges include:
• Inconsistent data collection, storage and interpretation of indicators resulting in further challenges to data analysis and reporting;
• Difficulties working in low-resource settings and reliance on hard-copy data collection methods contributing to inconsistent data;
• Recent high staff turnover within FPNSW International and recent expansion of the International Programme resulting in conflicting understanding of data capture processes amongst staff;
• Underutilisation of technology to improve data capture processes, specifically data collection templates
FPNSW International has made a commitment to the SDGs and recognises that advancing SRHR is critical in achieving the SDGs by 2030. SRHR is acknowledged as a critical factor in advancing the health and wellbeing of women, their families, communities, and the sustainable
development agenda (Haslegrave, 2013; Zuccala & Horton, 2018). FPNSW International has developed seven key areas of focus to guide their work towards the SDGs driven by SRHR:
1. Promoting gender equality and ending violence against women
2. Increasing access to long-acting reversible contraceptives
3. Eliminating cervical cancer
4. Investing in comprehensive sexuality education
5. Promoting access to sexual and reproductive health services for vulnerable groups
6. Improving access to abortion care
7. Improving sexual and reproductive health data (Family Planning NSW, 2020).