Increasing evaluation capacity within community-based HIV prevention programs

Funding agencies use technical assistance to strengthen the evaluation capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs). We used qualitative methods to describe beliefs and attitudes related to evaluation and to identify factors influencing evaluation capacity, based on interviews with 61 CBOs, nine health departments, and 28 technical assistance providers. Four factors influencing evaluation behavior among CBOs were identified: funding agency expectations, resources, leadership and staff, and evaluation tools and technology. Using these factors, we developed a model that describes three stages of evaluation capacity: compliance, investment, and advancement. We propose strategies by which funding agencies and technical assistance providers can help strengthen evaluation capacity within CBOs. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.