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HEALTH FACILITY ASSESSMENT OF SERVICE AVAILABILITY AND READINESS

Service Availability and Readiness
Assessment (SARA)
An annual monitoring
system for service delivery

Implementation Guide

WHO/HIS/HSI/RME/2013/2

© World Health Organization 2013
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Cover photo credit: WHO/Evelyn Hockstein

Service Availability and Readiness
Assessment (SARA)
An annual monitoring
system for service delivery

Implementation Guide

Version 2.1
September 2013

Acknowledgements
The service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) methodology was developed through a joint World
Health Organization (WHO) – United States Agency for International Development (USAID) collaboration. The
methodology builds upon previous and current approaches designed to assess service delivery including the
service availability mapping (SAM) tool developed by WHO, and the service provision assessment (SPA) tool
developed by ICF International under the USAID-funded MEASURE DHS project (monitoring and evaluation to
assess and use results, demographic and health surveys) project, among others. It draws on best practices and
lessons learned from the many countries that have implemented health facility assessments as well as
guidelines and standards developed by WHO technical programmes and the work of the International Health
Facility Assessment Network (IHFAN).
Particular thanks are extended to all those who contributed to the development of the service readiness
indicators, indices, and questionnaires during the workshop on "Strengthening Monitoring of Health Services
Readiness" held in Geneva, 22–23 September 2010.
Many thanks to The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) whom has supported Statistics
Norway to take part in the development of the SARA tools. The support has contributed to the development
and implementation of a new electronic questionnaire in CSPro and data verification guidelines.
A special thanks to the Medicines Information and Evidence for Policy unit at WHO for their contribution to the
SARA training materials and to the Unidad de Calidad y Seguridad de la Atención Médica-Hospital General de
México for their contribution of photographs to the SARA data collectors' guide.

Project Management Group

The SARA methodology and tool were developed under the direction and management of Kathy O’Neill and
Ashley Sheffel with valuable inputs from Ties Boerma and Marina Takane.

Project Advisory Group

Carla AbouZahr, Maru Aregawi Weldedawit, Sisay Betizazu, Paulus Bloem, Krishna Bose, Maurice Bucagu,
Alexandra Cameron, Daniel Chemtob, Meena Cherian, Richard Cibulskis, Mario Dal Poz, Sergey Eremin, Jesus
Maria Garcia Calleja, Sandra Gove, Neeru Gupta, Teena Kunjumen, Thierry Lambrechts, Richard Laing, Blerta
Maliqi, Shanthi Mendis, Claire Preaud, Andrew Ramsay, Leanne Riley, Cathy Roth, Willy Urassa, Adriana
Velasquez Berumen, Junping Yu, Nevio Zagaria, and Evgeny Zheleznyakov.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Table of contents
Acknowledgements ...........................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 1 | PLANNING AND METHODOLOGY ..................................................................7
1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................9
1.2 Objectives.......................................................................................................................................9
1.3 Key topics of the assessment .......................................................................................................10
1.4 Methodology ................................................................................................................................11
1.5 Survey steps .................................................................................................................................11
1.6 Requirements ...............................................................................................................................13
1.7 Budget ..........................................................................................................................................16
Annexes ..................................................................................................................................................17

CHAPTER 2 | SAMPLING ................................................................................................... 25
2.1 Sampling strategies ......................................................................................................................27
2.2 List sample methodology .............................................................................................................28
2.3 Probability sampling in Excel.......................................................................................................35
Annex .....................................................................................................................................................38

CHAPTER 3 | QUESTIONNAIRE ADAPTATION .................................................................... 39
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5

Country adaptation ......................................................................................................................41
Editing the structure of the questionnaire ..................................................................................42
Important tips ..............................................................................................................................42
Questionnaire implementation....................................................................................................43
Adding modules ...........................................................................................................................43

CHAPTER 4 | CSPRO FOR SARA ......................................................................................... 45
CHAPTER 5 | DATA COLLECTOR’S GUIDE........................................................................... 49
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

Overview of data collection procedures ......................................................................................51
Interviewer skills ..........................................................................................................................56
Completing the SARA questionnaire ............................................................................................60
Using CSPro for data entry ...........................................................................................................67
Using GPS for geographic coordinates collection ........................................................................73

CHAPTER 6 | SUPERVISOR’S GUIDE .................................................................................. 79
6.1
6.2
6.3

Roles and responsibilities.............................................................................................................81
Conducting field activities ............................................................................................................81
Using CSPro for data checking and validation .............................................................................87

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
CHAPTER 7 | DATA PROCESSING ...................................................................................... 91
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6

Concatenation ..............................................................................................................................93
Data cleaning................................................................................................................................94
Data verification for completeness ..............................................................................................98
Calculating sample weights ..........................................................................................................98
Calculating SARA indicators .......................................................................................................100
Exporting data from CSPro .........................................................................................................100

CHAPTER 8 | ANALYSIS AND OUTPUT............................................................................. 101
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................103
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................103
8.1 Calculating SARA results.............................................................................................................104
8.2 Alternative method of calculations ............................................................................................118
8.3 Sample weights ..............................................................................................................................119
8.4 Importing data to the SARA analysis tool ..................................................................................126
8.5 Data visualization .......................................................................................................................128
8.6 Survey report .............................................................................................................................140
8.7 Results dissemination ................................................................................................................141

HEALTH FACILITY ASSESSMENT OF SERVICE AVAILABILITY AND READINESS

1. Planning and
methodology

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

1.1

Background

Ensuring access to quality health services is one of the main functions of a health system. Sound information on
the supply and quality of health services is necessary for health systems management, monitoring and
evaluation. Efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and scale-up interventions for
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, safe motherhood, child health and non-communicable diseases have drawn
attention to the need for strong country monitoring of health services and their readiness to deliver key
interventions.
The Service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) is designed to function as a systematic tool to support
annual verification of data and service delivery at the facility level. It intends to cover public as well as private
and faith-based health facilities. The goals of the survey is to provide evidence based data on health system
progress to inform the annual health sector review, identify gaps and weaknesses responsible for sub-optimal
service provision and intervention coverage that need to be addressed, provide a baseline for planning and
monitoring scale-up intervention for service delivery improvement. From that perspective, SARA serves as an
M&E tool of the national health strategy and provides key information on progresses of the health system
strengthening over time.
SARA is jointly administered with a data verification module that allows record review in health facilities being
surveyed. The goal of the data verification module is to provide key information on data quality of monthly
reported data from health facilities to the superior/next level in the system (discrepancies between data in
primary source and monthly report). This crucial information is complementary with the DQRC (Data Quality
Report Card) that assesses data quality of the routine system, providing key information on the reliability of the
data used for analysis of the progress and performance of the health system. It is recommended that the
quality of the routine data be assessed on a yearly basis and results included on the annual progress report and
statistical booklets.

1.2

Objectives

The overall objective of the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment is to assess on a regular basis service
delivery (availability and readiness) and conduct data verification in public and private facilities. This evidence
based information collected as an independent verification aims to provide regular and reliable information on
progress and performance of the health system. It is intended to be conducted according to the country
planning cycle to provide a one-time key information on service delivery and data quality of the HMIS (data
verification and DQRC) in order to inform the health sector review.
• The specific objectives of the SARA and data quality assessment are:
• detect change and measure progress in health system strengthening over time;
• plan and monitor the scale-up of (those) interventions that are key to achieving the MDGs, such as
implementing interventions to reduce child and maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria,
and to respond to the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases;
• generate the evidence base to feed into country annual health sector reviews, to better inform the
development of annual operational plans and to guide country and partners towards making more
effective investments;
• support national planners in planning and managing health systems (e.g. assessing equitable and
appropriate distribution of services, human resources and availability of medicines and supplies).
• ensure systematic assessment of completeness and consistency (both internal and external) of reported
data and intervention coverage rates;
• identify data quality problems that are part of the routine monitoring system and need to be addressed.

1. Planning and methodology

1.3

Key topics of the
assessment

The service availability and readiness assessment tool is designed to generate a set of core indicators on key
inputs and outputs of the health system, which can be used to measure progress in health system
strengthening over time. Tracer indicators aim to provide objective information about whether or not a facility
meets the required conditions to support provision of basic or specific services with a consistent level of quality
and quantity. Summary or composite indicators, also called indices, can be used to summarize and
communicate information about multiple indicators and domains of indicators. Indices can be used for general
and service-specific availability and readiness.
There are three main focus areas of SARAI.

Service availability refers to the physical presence of the delivery of services and encompasses health
infrastructure, core health personnel and aspects of service utilization.

II.

General service readiness refers to the overall capacity of health facilities to provide general health
services. Readiness is defined as the availability of components required to provide services, such as
basic amenities, basic equipment, standard precautions for infection prevention, diagnostic capacity
and essential medicines.

III.

Service-specific readiness refers to the ability of health facilities to offer a specific service, and the
capacity to provide that service measured through consideration of tracer items that include trained
staff, guidelines, equipment, diagnostic capacity, and medicines and commodities.

The key topic areas and core functional capacities assessed include:
• Identification, location and managing authority of health facility (public and private).
• General facility status (e. g. availability of water supply, telecommunications, electricity, beds, etc).
• Basic medical equipment, such as X-ray, oxygen, weighing machines, etc.
• Availability of health workforce (e.g. cadre of human resources, staff training and guidelines).
• Drugs and commodities - availability of general medicines.
• Diagnostic facilities - availability of lab tests (e.g. HIV, malaria, TB, others).
• Standard precautions - availability of injection, sterilization, disposal, and hygiene practices.
• Specialized services, such as for maternal and newborn child health, family planning, child and
adolescent health, communicable diseases (e.g. HIV, TB, malaria), non-communicable diseases (diabetes,
cardiovascular, etc…).
• Standard and specialized surgery services and blood transfusion
The SARA facility assessment is usually combined with a record review for verification of health facility reported
data on diseases or interventions. The data verification module aims to verify the quality of routinely reported
data by comparing facility data (from register, tally sheets, etc.) with monthly aggregated reports sent at
district level. The information generated by the collected information will be included in the data quality record
card (DQRC), assessing the data quality of the routine system at national and subnational levels.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

1.4

Methodology

The SARA survey requires visits to health facilities with data collection based on key informant interviews and
observation of key items. The survey can either be carried out as a sample or a census; the choice between
these methodologies will depend on a number of elements including the country's resources, the objectives of
the survey and the availability of a master facility list (MFL). For example, if the objective of the survey is to
have nationally representative estimates, a sample survey would be appropriate. However, if the objective is to
have district estimates, the sampling methodology must be adjusted to either a larger sample or in some cases
a full census.
The recommended data source for information on service availability is a national master facility list and
database of all public and private facilities. A facility census is usually required to establish and maintain the
master facility list (MFL) and database. Service availability data should be updated annually through routine
facility based reporting and validated approximately every 5 years through a facility census.
Service readiness data can be generated through sample surveys. Sampling is done in a systematic way to
ensure that the findings are representative of the country or state/province in which the survey is being
conducted. Basic service readiness should be an important input into health sector reviews and sample surveys
should be organized annually about 4-6 months in advance of the annual review. The national database of
health facilities should be used to provide the sampling frame (MFL). In cases where a national database of
facilities is not available or up-to-date, the service readiness survey can be carried out at the same time as the
facility census for service availability.

FIGURE 1.4.1: TIMELINE OF IMPLEMENTATION

1.5

Survey steps

A Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) should be planned to coincide with and generate data
to feed into the national health planning cycle. The time needed to complete a SARA depends on the size of the
country whether or not there is a need for a full facility census. From the initial country-adaptation of the
assessment tool to the dissemination of data and production of country reports, the entire process generally
takes from three to six months.

1. Planning and methodology
The table below provides an overview of the survey's steps and the activities to be undertaken at each step.
Steps

Survey activities

1. Survey planning and
preparation

•

Establish a survey coordinating group of country stakeholders to oversee and
facilitate the objectives, scope, design, implementation and analysis

•

Obtain a list of all health facility sites (public, private, nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs)), including country facility registry codes

•

Determine appropriate design methodology (census or sample), develop an
implementation plan and budget, and secure funding

•

Review and adapt questionnaires to meet country-specific needs

•

Recruit survey personnel (survey manager, field supervisors, data collectors, data
entry/processing personnel, data analysts)

•

Prepare a survey schedule

•

Identify the survey sites (sampling frame). Select the sample size and sample of
health facilities (if sampling methodology is chosen)

•

Procure logistics including equipment and transport, taking into consideration the
number of sites to be visited, the number of data collection teams, drivers, vehicles,
petrol, etc.

•

Plan and conduct training courses for interviewers and field supervisors

•

Pilot test the survey in a selected number of health facilities, evaluate results and
make amendments if necessary

•

Plan the data collection visits (prepare a letter of introduction, contact each site,
prepare a schedule of visits)

•

Prepare materials and tools for data collectors

•

Arrange for transport and regular communications during fieldwork

•

Assemble materials necessary for local data collection

•

Confirm appointments with health facilities

•

Visit health facilities and collect SARA data in teams (usually two interviewers and a
driver)

•

At the end of the interview, check questionnaire and resolve missing/unreliable
information

•

Return completed forms and/or transfer electronic files to field supervisor at the
conclusion of each day

•

Return forms (paper and/or electronic) to survey manager when data collection is
complete

•

Enter data using the CSPro application

•

Edit, validate and clean data set, check for consistency and accuracy

•

Export the data set for analysis (SARA indicators)

•

Conduct analyses of SARA data using the standard core indicators (SARA automated
tool for results graphs and tables) as well as any country-specific indicators of
interest

•

Meet with survey coordinating group to analyze and interpret survey results and to
finalize recommendations

•

Prepare the final report

•

Plan and implement dissemination activities. The results should be used to support
annual health reviews and feed into the M&E platform for the national health plan

•

Document and archive the survey using metadata standards

2. Data collection in the
field

3. Data entry, analysis and
interpretation

4. Results dissemination

1 http://www.census.gov/population/international/software/cspro/csprodownload.html

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

1.6

Requirements

The data collection planning phase requires consideration of the logistical needs for data collection teams as
well as an assessment of the hardware and software needs for data collection.

1.6.1 Resources requirements for SARA and data quality assessment
I. Data resources
Master Facility List (MFL)

•

List of all health facilities in country (including private sector)

National reference documents

•

Official health workforce classification
National drug policies (essential medicines, ARV treatment strategy,etc.)
Health services provision/basic package by facility types (reference list of
service provision)
Procurement
Standard registers, tally sheet and reporting forms

•
•
•

HMIS tools

•

Country adapted questionnaire

•

Country adapted data verification
module

•

DQRC data requirements

•

In order to develop the data quality report card (DQRC) the following HMIS
data should be made available:
−
ANC1, DTP1, DTP3, institutional deliveries and OPDs (district monthly
data for the year of the next Annual Health Sector Review (AHSR))
−
Annual totals at district level for the above indicators for the preceding
3 years
−
Other country specific indicators (depending on the data verification
selection)
−
Estimated denominators for the above indicators (for the year of the
AHSR and preceding years if possible)
−
Data on # of facilities reporting and # of facilities in the district (for each
district)
−
Data on # of districts reporting every month/trimester
−
Latest household survey data

•

Key resource persons from the survey team, technical units and partners to
be involved

The following areas of the SARA tool must always be adapted to the country
context:
−
Types of facilities
−
National guidelines for services
−
Staffing categories
−
Tuberculosis medications
−
HIV & AIDS medications
−
Other country specific medicines
Selection of 4 or 5 indicators from the module proposed indicators’ list

II. Human resources
Survey manager
Field supervisors
Data collectors
Data entry personnel
Data analysts

1. Planning and methodology

III. Logistics
Transport for data collection field
work activities
Field accommodation for data
collectors

•

Vehicles and drivers

•

Vehicles and drivers
Includes transport to/from the training venue and for the pilot test

IV. Training resources
Training venue
Daily accommodation for
participants
Transport

•

V. Electronic equipment
Computer

•
•
•

Mobile electronic data collection
devices (EDC)

•

GPS devices (if running adjunct to
primary EDC)

•

Computer (PC): for data entry and processing
Charger
Extra battery
Mobile data collection unit (such as PDA, tablet computer, laptop computer):
for training purposes, one per participant; for survey purposes, one per data
collection team plus two backup units
Charger/battery: two chargers per unit, two sets of batteries per unit
Mobile unit carry case: one per unit
PC/mobile unit connector cable: one per unit
Memory card (if applicable): one per unit
GPS device: for training purposes, one unit per participant; for survey
purposes, one unit per data collection team plus two backup units
Charger/battery: two chargers per unit, two sets of batteries per unit
GPS carry case: one per unit
PC/GPS connector cable: one per unit
Cell phones: one per data collection team
Chargers: one per unit
Mobile phone credit
The Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro) is recommended unless
the country already uses other software. CSPro is a public domain software
package for entering, editing, tabulating, and disseminating data from
censuses and surveys. It can be downloaded from
www.census.gov/ipc/www/cspro/index.html. More information on
hardware and software specifications can be found in Table 2.
Software manual: one per data collection team

•
•
•
•

Printer/copier (two in one or as separate machines):
PC/Printer connector cable: one per pair
Ink cartridge:
Printing paper: standard size is A4

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Communication equipment

•
•
•

Software for data collection/entry

•

Data analysis program
VI. Supplies
Printing

Pens, pencils
Projector and projector screen
Multi-port extension cable
International power adapters
USB keys (1GB)

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
1.6.2 Hardware and software specifications
Computer and software specifications

PDA hardware and software specifications

•

Desktop or laptop computer

•

Pocket PC

•

Pentium Processor

•

Windows Mobile 5.0 or 6.0

•

512 MB of Ram

•

SVGA monitor

USB cable or cradle to connect the Pocket PC to the
desktop or laptop computer.

•

Mouse

•

100MB of free hard drive space

•

Microsoft Windows 98se, Me, NT, 4.0,
2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7.0

Microsoft ActiveSync 4.2 or later. This should come
with your Pocket PC and is also available for download
at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/enus/help/synchronize/device-synch.mspx

•

CSPro Version 5.2 (or 4.1 if using PDAs)

•

CSProMobile. This is the installer for the Pocket PC. It
is separate from the installer for the "standard version"
of CSPro on a desktop computer. It can be found on
the CSPro CD or downloaded from the CSPro website.

1. Planning and methodology

1.7

Budget

Area of work

Activities

Unit Cost

1. Preparation and
training of data
collectors

Adaptation of the questionnaire(s) and data entry application
Translation of the questionnaire (if applicable)
Training workshop for field supervisors and data collectors
(xx data collectors & xx supervisors):
- per diem xx USD * nbr persons * nbr days
- travel cost of participants (if applicable)
- venue, lunch
Pilot testing in 3 facilities
- USD xx per diem * nbr people * 1 day
- USD xx transportation * 3 facilities * 1 day
Printing of documents for training
Technical assistance (travel, fee & per diem of 2 facilitators)
Subtotal

2. Field survey

Data collector per diem
(USD xx per diem * nbr people * nbr days)
Field supervisors per diem
(USD xx per diem * nbr people * nbr days)
Driver, vehicle and petrol@ USD xx * nbr days
Equipment ; Data collection devices * nbr needed
Supplies (e.g. paper forms, mobile phone + units, …)
Subtotal

3. Data processing,
analysis and
dissemination

Data processing and analysis
-manager/analyst * 6 weeks
-statistician/analyst * 6 weeks
Production of analytical report
Analytical workshop
- per diem xx USD * nbr person * 1 day
- travel cost of participants (if applicable)
- venue, lunch
Validation workshop
- per diem xx USD *nbr persons * nbr days
Dissemination of results (report printing, web posting,…)
Subtotal
Total activities
Contingency/unpredictable costs (around 10%)
GRAND TOTAL

Nbr facilities

Activity Cost

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Annex 1 | Excel template: budget for SARA implementation
ACTIVITY
1. PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES

No/quantity

Adaptation of technical documents and data entry application

Frequency

Cost/unit

Total

1000

Translation of questionnaire (if applicable - 12$ per page)
Training of field supervisors, data collectors (4 days)
Data collector per diem (per pers.)
Supervisor per diem (per pers.)

2,300

5,625

Facilitator per diem (per pers.)

Travel costs (if applicable)
Venue
Coffee break
Lunch
Vehicules (pilot test)
Fuel for the car
Supplies
Pinting documents
• SARA questionnaire
• Data verification module
• Data collector's kit
• Supervisor's kit
Subtotal
2. DATA COLLECTION IN THE FIELD

7,926
No/quantity

Data collector per diem

Frequency
10

Cost/unit
50

Total
6,000

Transportation
•Vehicule

•Fuel

•Driver

Electronic equipment
•Laptops/Tablet/PDA

•USB memory sticks (1 per supervisor)

Printing of documents for data collection
•Questionnaire

•Data collector's kit

Subtotal

3. DATA PROCESSING, ANALYSIS & DISSEMINATION

6,000
No/quantity

Frequency

Cost/unit

Total

Data processing and analysis
Manager/analyst (for 6 weeks)

Statistician/analyst (for 6 weeks)

1. Planning and methodology | Annexes

ACTIVITY
Analytical workshop
Paricipants per diem

Travel cost for participants (if applicable)

Venue

Coffee break

Lunch

Validation workshop

Paricipants per diem

Travel cost for participants (if applicable)

Venue

Coffee break

Lunch

Dissemination of results
Report printing

Subtotal
Total activities

13,926

Contingency/unpredictable costs (around 10%)

1,393

GRAND TOTAL

15,319

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Annex 2 | Template: agenda, data collectors and supervisors training
Objectives :
1. Common understanding of the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) by all participants;

2. Train field supervisors in the SARA survey procedures and introduce their roles and responsibilities during
the survey ;

3. Train data collectors in using the SARA questionnaire and data verification module (including electronic
versions) and introduce their roles and responsibilities during data collection ;

4. Develop a detailed timeframe and plan for the field implementation ;
Training of SARA data collectors

Day 1: Date
8:30 – 9:00

Registration and opening

9:00 – 10:00

SARA introduction and overview
Objectives and expected outputs

10:00 – 10:30

Break

10:30 – 13:00

Review of questions and response options
•

SARA questionnaire

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 18:00

Review of questions and response options
•

SARA questionnaire

Day 2: Date
8:30 – 10:30

Review of questions and response options
•

SARA questionnaire

10:30 – 11:00

Break

11:00 – 13:00

Review of questions and response options
•

SARA questionnaire

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 18:00

Understanding the questions and response options
Data verification

1. Planning and methodology | Annexes

Day 3: Date
8:30 – 10:30

Roles and responsibilities of data collectors
Procedure – before, during, and after site visits

10:30 – 11:00

Break

11:00 – 12:30

Administering the SARA questionnaire
•

Interviewer skills

12:30 – 1:30

Lunch

1:30 – 3:30

Data entry on PDAs

3:30 – 5:30

Practice administering SARA questionnaire

5:30 – 6:00

Review of procedures and materials for data collection

Day 4: Date
8:00 – 1:30

Pilot test
•

1:30 – 2:30
2:30 – 6:00

Field test in at least 3 health facilities

Lunch
Debrief of pilot test and troubleshooting
Conclusion of training of SARA data collectors

Training of SARA supervisors (SARA supervisors and technical committee)

Day 5: Date
8:30 – 9:30

Lessons learned from SARA

9:30 – 11:00

Responsibilities of field supervisors
Procedures for field work supervision

11:00 – 11:30

Break

11:30 – 12:30

Transferring data from PDAs/tablets/laptops

12:30 – 1:30

Using CSPro (data checking and correcting answer)

1:30 – 2:30

Lunch

2:30 – 4:30

Planning of data collection logistics, teams and itineraries

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Annex 3 | Template, SARA data analysis and HMIS data quality
assessment workshop
SARA country, year data analysis and HMIS data quality assessment
-------Place – Date

Objectives :
• Strengthen skills of the technical unit XXX from the Ministry of Health in charge of the SARA and of the
data quality assessment, in the production and the analysis of the SARA data for year as well as in the
development of the data quality record card based on the HMIS data.
• Support SARA institutionalization through dissemination and use of SARA results by stakeholders in the
context of the annual health sector review.

Expected outputs :
• National technical team has been trained in the procedures for the calculation of SARA indicators and in
the use of CSPro and the SARA Excel tool for the automated production of result tables and graphs as
well as manual calculation for country specific needs;
• The national team has been trained on the use of the DQRC tool for an assessment of the HMIS data
quality, as well as the procedures for the analysis of the data collected using the data verification
module;
•

« Standard » tables and graphs of SARA results are produced and a first analysis of the results is done;

• Drafts of the SARA year results overview and summary analysis by health services;
• A draft of the DQRC of the HMIS data is developed;
• Use of the SARA results in preparation of the annual health sector review for year is clearly defined;
• Senior staff in the Ministry of Health as well as the technical and financial partners of the health sector
are informed on the potential use and interest of SARA in the monitoring and evaluation of the health
sector reforms.

Pre-requisites:
• Collection of SARA data and data verification module completed;
• Data compiling, entry and cleaning completed;
• Availability of monthly routine data from the HMIS for the year of the annual health sector review (year)
as well as population data and information on the completeness of reporting.

1. Planning and methodology | Annexes
Participants (maximum 15 participants):
• National team [Name from the department/unit at MoH] from the Ministry of Health in charge of the
SARA and the HMIS.
• Key persons in the domains of the country health system organization, mother and child health,
communicable diseases and medicines (from the 2nd day when data analysis starts).

AGENDA
Day 1 - Date
8:00 – 8:30

Workshop objectives and expected outputs

WHO/Dpt in charge of SARA

8:30 – 10h30

Field survey and data collection

Dpt in charge of SARA

Data collection, entry and cleaning
Response rate
Lessons learnt from the field experience : strengths and areas
for improvement

10:30 – 10:45

Break

10 :45 – 11 :15

Overview of SARA/DQA data processing and analysis

WHO

11 :15 – 13 :00

Other steps in data processing

WHO/ Dpt in charge of SARA

Validation by field supervisors
Calculating the weights

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 18:00

SARA indicator calculation
₋
₋
₋
₋

WHO

Adaptation of the « batch edit » in CSPro (SARA specificities)
SARA indicators calculation
Use of the Excel tool for automated production of « standard » SARA
tables and graphs
Manual calculation of results

Day 2 - Date
8:00 – 8:30

Expected outputs (overview and summary report)

8:30 – 13:00

Availability and readiness of general services – results and analysis

WHO/ Dpt in charge of SARA

₋
Production of tables and graphs
₋
Analysis
(break from 10:30 to 10:45)

Entire groupe

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 18:00

Development of SARA draft analysis documents (overview and summary
report)

WHO/ Dpt in charge of SARA

Availability and readiness of specific services – results and analysis

Working groups I, II, III & IV

₋
₋
₋
₋

Working group I : Tables/ graphs production and analysis
Working group II : Tables/ graphs production and analysis
Working group III : Tables/ graphs production and analysis
Working group IV : Tables/ graphs production and analysis

(break from 16:00 to 16h15)

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Day 3 - Date
8:00 – 10:00

Plenary session on group work : presentation of the SARA analytical
results

Group rapporteurs

₋
₋

Entire group

Discussion
Identification of country specific results (tables and graphs)

10:00 – 10:15

Break

10:15 – 13:00

Manual production of tables and graphs
-

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 16:30

HMIS data quality assessment – data verification
₋
₋

14:00 – 16:30

Entire group

Development and analysis of country specific tables and graphs
Interpretation
Parallel session I

Introduction- HMIS data verification
Processing of collected data (data verification module)

Development of SARA draft analysis documents (overview and summary
report) (cont’d)

Parallel session II

Availability and readiness of specific services – results and analysis
₋
₋
₋
₋
16:30 – 18:00

Plenary session on group works : presentation of the results
₋

Entire group

Discussion, results analysis

Day 4 - Date
8:00 – 10:30

HMIS data quality assessment
₋

Introduction and presentation of the DQRC Excel tool for assessment
of the HMIS data quality

10:30 – 10:45

Break

10:45 – 13:00

HMIS data quality assessment
₋

Lunch

14:00 – 16:30

HMIS data quality assessment

Group work

Development of the DQRC and analysis (cont’d)

16:30 – 16:45

Break

16:45 – 18:00

Plenary feedback on group works: presentation of the results
₋

Group work

Development of the DQRC and analysis

13:00 – 14:00

WHO

Entire group

Discussion, results analysis

1. Planning and methodology | Annexes

Day 5 - Date
8:00 – 10h30

SARA report development and preparation for the annual health sector
review

WHO

₋
₋

Entire group

₋

SARA report template and other country best practices
Use of SARA and DQA data in preparation for the annual health sector
review
Discussions

10:30 – 11:00

Break

11:00 – 13:00

Presentation of the SARA and DQRC results to stakeholders from the
Ministry of Health and Technical and Financial partners (objectives,
methodology, preliminary results, next steps) and discussion.

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 16:15

Technical support requirements and specific questions

Dpt in charge of the SARA

WHO
Dpt in charge of the SARA

16:15 – 16:45

Next steps

16:45 – 17:00

Wrap-up and close

WHO/ Dpt in charge of the SARA

2. Sampling

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA)

2.1

Sampling strategies

Determining the sample size and selecting the sample for a facility survey is a complex subject, which will vary
considerably from case to case depending on the desired precision and type of estimates, the number of
facilities in the country as well as the specific objectives of the assessment. For example, a SARA conducted to
produce national estimates will require a much smaller sample size than if district-level estimates are desired.
Before concluding on a sampling strategy it should be decided if breakdowns by categories such as region,
facility type, managing authority, urban/rural are desired. In order to ensure that the sample is representative,
it is best to consult with a sampling expert or a statistician to select an appropriate sampling methodology. For
the SARA, the most common sampling strategy is Option 1 in the table below—a nationally representative
sample obtained by taking a simple random sample of facilities within each stratum (facility type and managing
authority) at the national level. The table below presents different sampling options that could be used to
conduct a SARA based on the desired level of estimates and available resources:
Domains of estimation

Sampling method

Sample size
1
(estimate)

Approximate cost

Option 1: National estimates
only
National estimates with
disaggregation by facility type
(3 levels) and managing
authority (public/private)

Small country
Stratification by facility type and
managing authority, simple/systematic
random sampling within each stratum
with census or oversampling of
hospitals (design effect = 1)

150 – 250 facilities

$60K-100K

250 – 500 facilities

$100K-200K

Small country
Stratification by region, facility type and
managing authority, simple/systematic
random sampling within each stratum,
with census or oversampling of
hospitals (design effect = 1)

5 regions: 250 – 500
facilities
10 regions: 500 – 800
facilities

$100K-130K
$130K-180K

Medium/large country
Blend of list and area sampling: list
sampling for large health facilities, and
area sampling for small facilities (census
2
of facilities in sampled area PSUs )
(design effect = 1.2)

Medium country
4 regions: 300 – 500
facilities
Large country
4 regions: 400 – 800
facilities

Medium country
Blend of list and area sampling: list
sampling for large health facilities, and
area sampling for small facilities (census
2
of facilities in sampled area PSUs )
(design effect = 1.2)
Option 2: Subnational
estimates
Regional and national
estimates with
disaggregation by facility type
(3 levels) and managing
authority (public/private)

Option 3: Subnational
estimates
Regional estimates for a
subset of regions, with
disaggregation by facility type
(3 levels) and managing
authority (public/private) for
selected regions; no national
estimates

Large country
Purposive sample of regions,; within
regions, stratification by facility type
and managing authority,
simple/systematic random sampling
within each stratum with oversampling
of hospitals for each region (design
effect = 1)

4 regions (150 facilities
per region): 600
facilities

$120K-200K
$180K-360K

$60-100K per region

Sample size estimates assume a margin of error of 0.1 and 95% level of confidence
Administrative units that form the PSUs (Primary Sampling Units) for the area sample should contain approximately
1-5 health facilities each (communes, sub-counties, villages)

1
2

2. Sampling

Domains of estimation

Sampling method

Sample size
1
(estimate)

Option 4: District sample
District estimates for sampled
districts; national estimates if
sufficiently many facilities are
sampled

Small, medium and large countries
List sampling for regional and national
hospitals plus sampling of districts (twolevel cluster sample: selection of
districts as first level, selection of
facilities within these districts as the
second level) (design effect = 2)

Small country
300-500 facilities (103
30 districts )
Medium country
400-800 facilities (20+
districts)
Large country
600-1000 facilities (30+
districts)

Option 5: Facility census
All possible domains of
estimation

Small, medium and large countries
Census of all facilities

Approximate cost

$100K-200K
$160K-320K
$270K-470K

Very expensive

Small country: 50 – 100 hospitals, 1000 – 2000 health facilities total, 10 – 80 districts (e.g. Sierra Leone, Togo, Burkina Faso)
Medium country: 100-500 hospitals, 2000 – 5000 health facilities total, 80 – 500 districts (e.g. Uganda, Tanzania)
Large country: 500 – 1000 hospitals, 5000 – 10000 health facilities total, 500 – 1000 districts (e.g. DRC, Nigeria)

2.2

National estimates

The recommended sampling method for SARA is a nationally representative sample stratified by health facility
type and managing authority.
The advantages of using this sampling approach are:
(1) the relative simplicity of sample selection if a list of all facilities is available
(2) there are no cluster effects, and
(3) the sample size per facility type and managing authority can be controlled precisely.
The particular sample design for the facility survey will differ in each country; however, selection of a nationally
representative sample stratified by facility type and managing authority will generally involve the following five
steps:
(1) determination of eligible facilities
(2) construction of the list frame
(3) determination of domains and/or strata
(4) sample size determination, and
(5) selection of the sample from the list.
The steps will be elaborated in the reminder of this section.

Number of districts in sample depends on the number of facilities per district

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA)
Step 1. Determination of eligible facilities
The first step is to determine the characteristics of the facilities that form the study population. The sampling
frame will be all health facilities that meet defined eligibility criteria in a country. Examples of eligibility criteria
include:
(1) the managing authority;
(2) the type of facility (from primary health-care centres to tertiary-level hospitals); or
(3) facilities within a certain geographical area.
Often, a combination of several such criteria is used. For SARA, it is recommended to include in the sampling
frame health facilities of all types and all managing authorities (public, private-for-profit, NGO, FBO, etc.).
Specialized health facilities such as eye hospitals, dental clinics, etc. may be excluded.

Step 2. Construction of the sampling frame
Whenever a list frame for any survey, including facility survey sampling, is constructed, three principles must
be kept in mind. The frame must be, in so far as is practicable:
(1) complete,
(2) accurate, and
(3) up to date.
A complete list consists of a list of all facilities in a country (both public and private) and contains a unique
identifier along with information on region/district, facility type, managing authority, and urban/rural
designation for each facility. If a Master Facility List (MFL) exists for a country, this can serve as the sampling
frame.
Often a list frame that is complete, accurate and up-to-date, covering both public and private sectors does not
exist. Then it will need to be constructed before a sample can be selected. Unless the country maintains a
comprehensive master facility list, authorities do not always have up-to-date records of health facilities
functioning in the country. Coverage of private facilities is often spotty and outdated; they may have closed or
moved, and there is generally no standard definition for facility type in the private sector.
An initial list obtained from the MoH will usually need to be complemented with information from multiple
other sources, such as private sector coordinating bodies, social ministries where NGOs register their activities,
or directly from faith-based, private and parastatal organizations. In situations where it is not possible to obtain
4
a reliable sampling frame list of facilities a dual-frame sampling methodology may be used. This method
combines a simple random sample of hospitals and large facilities, with a sample of geographically-defined
areas in the country.
Accuracy of the list can pose a problem on important details such as location, type and managing authority of a
given facility. Finally, any list may suffer from outdated information such as inclusion of facilities that may not
be operational at the time of the survey. Compilation of the facility list will likely involve coordinating and

Sampling manual for facility surveys for population, maternal health, child health and STD programs in
developing countries. North Carolina, MEASURE Evaluation, 2001 (MEASURE Evaluation Manual Series, No.3)
http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure/publications/pdf/ms-01-03.pdf, accessed 17 December 2011).

2. Sampling
verifying information gathered from a number of sources. It is recommended that the government’s MoH be
contacted first, to obtain a comprehensive list of government facilities. However, the MoH list itself may be
incomplete or out of date, in which case it will be necessary to supplement it with information from other
sources such as private foundations, NGOs and religious organizations. These secondary sources should be
used to correct and update information from the MoH. It is expected, for example, that private hospitals and
other specialized clinics would more likely be identified through the secondary sources than through the MoH.
Depending upon time constraints and budgetary resources, additional sources may also be tapped to refine the
frame. These would include local NGOs and the local offices of external donors who may be able to supplement
and update the MoH list in regions of the country where each is active. Preliminary lists may also be verified
with district or regional health officials. Finally, community informants may also be valuable resources in some
instances, especially to verify whether facilities from central institutional lists are currently operational. See
5
Creating a master facility list for a more comprehensive methodology for constructing a list of all facilities in a
country.

Step 3. Determination of domains and/or strata
Once the sampling frame has been established, probability sampling principles are used to draw a selection of
facilities for inclusion in the assessment. Usually, a multistage or stratified sampling plan is followed to ensure
representation across various domains of the eligible facilities. In stratified random sampling, the sampling
frame (or the population) is partitioned into strata (or subpopulations), which are then independently sampled
(usually a simple or systematic random sample within each stratum). The results from the different strata are
then combined to form estimates for the entire population.
There are a number of reasons why it is better to use a stratified sample for SARA rather than a simple random
sample of all facilities. First, a stratified sample guarantees that a prescribed number of facilities from each
strata (or subpopulation) will be assessed, whereas taking a simple random sample of all facilities might result
in under-representation of certain types of facilities. Also, the number of hospitals in a country is generally
small compared with the number of primary care facilities, and thus a simple random sample of all facilities in a
country is likely to include only a very small number of hospitals or might miss them altogether. By stratifying
the sample by facility type, the number of hospitals and primary care facilities can be controlled to ensure that
a sufficient number of hospitals are included in the sample. Secondly, more precise estimates can be obtained
in cases where facilities within each stratum are relatively homogeneous and the variation between strata is
relatively large. The recommended sampling methodology for SARA is to select all tertiary-level facilities or
hospitals in a country plus a simple random sample of the lower-level facilities stratified by a combination of
region, facility type, managing authority and urban-rural distribution. If disproportionate allocation is used,
sample weights need to be applied when analyzing the data to calibrate for national representation. Please
refer to SARA implementation guide chapter 8: Analysis and Outputs for more information on calculating
weights.
Often, it is desirable to have separate estimates by region, facility type or other groupings of facilities called
domains. Domains are the analytical groupings, whether geographical or categorical, for which separate
estimates are wanted when analysing the results (for example, primary care facilities versus hospitals; urban
areas versus rural areas; public sector facilities versus private sector facilities; different regions). Domains and
strata are often synonymous, but this is not always the case, as the former is determined by analytical
considerations, while the latter serves to improve sampling efficiency. For SARA, the domains of interest are
usually the same as the strata, and are generally a subset of the following: region, facility type, managing
authority and urban-rural location. The greater the number of domains, the larger the sample size is required
to obtain good estimates.

Creating a master facility list. Draft document. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2013

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA)
Step 4. Determination of sample size
Determining sample size is a complex subject for any survey. The overall sample size for a facility survey will
vary from country to country, depending upon conditions, precision requirements, and need for domain
estimates. The larger the sample size, the greater the precision of the estimates; however, the total size of the
sample will generally also depend on budget, time, and other constraints 6.
Given a desired level of precision (or margin of error) and confidence level, it is fairly easy to determine the
necessary sample size using well-known mathematical formulas, assuming that some reasonable assumptions
about the unknown parameters can be made. The SARA survey produces hundreds of estimates, each of which
would require a different sample size according to the sample size formulas. It is customary in these cases to
choose a small number of the most important estimates, then calculate the sample size requirements for each
of these and to choose the largest. A formula commonly used for calculating the sample size for SARA is given
in Annex 1.
Adjusting sample size for the number of domains
The survey design will most likely require that the estimates be disaggregated for important estimation
domains –regions, facility types, urban-rural. If there is particular interest in obtaining very reliable data for a
given domain, it may be necessary to increase the sample size in that domain. For example, if equally reliable
data were desired for urban and rural areas separately it would be necessary to sample the two areas
disproportionately to assure the same sample size. By way of illustration, use of a proportionate sampling
scheme when the urban-rural distribution is 65 and 35 percent respectively would give a sample size for the
urban part that is about twice as big as the rural part, in which case the reliability of the urban sample would be
much better than the rural. The desire for equal reliability in this case would demand that the rural sample size
be increased commensurately. The most efficient sample we will get when the two groups have equal size.
In general, the sample size for domains when equal reliability is wanted for each necessitates multiplying the
calculated sample size needed for a domain by the number of categories in the domain. Thus, if equally reliable
estimates were wanted for, say, five regions, the sample size would be about five times the value calculated
using the equation above. The survey budget would likely preclude such a large sample, so certain
compromises would have to be made. One such compromise is to relax the confidence interval criterion for the
domain estimates. Another possibility is to select the most important domains for the stricter reliability and
allow the others to be measured with whatever reliability a proportionately allocated sample would yield.
An alternative approach for determining domain and overall sample sizes is to carry out the calculations from
the formula in Annex 1 separately for each domain of interest. The total sample size would then be the sum of
the domain samples.
Sampling to estimate change
Often facility surveys aim to monitor change over time. The need to estimate change has implications for
survey operations and sample design of a facility survey. When making considerations for selecting the sample
for a repeat SARA in a country, three methodologies may be considered:
(a) use of the same sample of facilities on each occasion,
(b) use of rotating or replacement panels of facilities, or
(c) use of new, different samples each time.
Proceeding from (a) to (c), sampling error on estimates of change increases. Sampling error is least when the
same sample facilities are used on each occasion, because the correlation between observations is highest.
6 The following is adapted from MEASURE Evaluation (2001). Sampling Manual for Facility Surveys for population,
maternal health, child health and STD programs in developing countries, MEASURE Evaluation Manual Series, No.3, July
2001. http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure/publications/pdf/ms-01-03.pdf

2. Sampling
Adjusting for non-response
The sample size calculation assumes that all facilities in the sample will be covered in the assessment. However,
complete response is rarely attainable in the field, so the calculated sample size should be increased by a factor
to reflect the anticipated non-response rate. Absent any other prior information, it is recommended that the
sample size be increased by at least 10% to take into account non-response.
Adjusting the sample size for finite population size
When there are few facilities in the universe to be assessed, the sample size becomes a significant proportion
(e.g. 5 percent or more) of that total. Then the calculated sample size (n) should be reduced by the factor, 1n/N, where N is the total number of facilities in a country.
Summary of sample size calculation methodology
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Ascertain main estimates of interest.
Identify those closest to zero or 100 percent: The ones with small or large value of p.
Use formula in Annex 1 to calculate the sample size (n).
Choose the largest n.
Adjust n upward to account for non-response.
Adjust n upwards to account for estimation domains.
Evaluate inclusion of previously sampled facilities for a repeat SARA
Evaluate n in relation to budget and field constraints; revise if necessary.

Step 5. Sample selection
Stratified sampling
Once the stratification and the sample size have been selected, the final step is to select the sample of facilities
to be assessed from the list frame. The simplest sampling strategy is to use proportional allocation, in which
the same sampling fraction is used for each stratum. For example, if there are 1000 health facilities in a country,
and the sample size is 150, then 150/1000= 15% of facilities that need to be selected from each stratum.
Sometimes it is desirable to use a different sampling fraction for each stratum. For example, hospitals tend to
make up a small percentage of the total number of facilities in a country, but it is often desirable to report
results for this subgroup. If the same sampling fraction is used for hospitals as for other facility types, the
number of hospitals included in the sample would be small, and any estimates based on such a small sample
would be too unreliable to report. The problem can be solved by oversampling the hospitals in order to reduce
the associated error. This is called disproportionate sampling, as different sampling fractions are used for
different strata, and requires the application of sampling weights in the analysis of data to account for
unbalanced sampling.
It is recommended that all hospitals in the list frame be included in the sample if possible. If it is not possible to
cover all hospitals due to budget or other constraints, then all tertiary hospitals should be included in the
sample, and a sample of the other hospitals should be taken. The proportion of hospitals to be included in the
sample depends highly on the available resources, and should be oversampled relative to the other health
facility types.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA)
Cluster sampling
Cluster sampling means sampling in two stages. First a geographical area is sampled. Then facilities are sampled
from within that area. The primary reason to use this kind of sampling is to reduce the distance between the
sampled facilities, and hence reduce costs. The approach can be used in very large countries or countries were
traveling for other reasons is time-consuming. In general, using a one-stage sample of facilities would be the
recommended procedure in most countries.
If the approximate number of facilities in a primary sampling area (like province, district or local government
area) is known, sampling areas proportional to the number of facilities in each area is recommended. This
means that areas with many facilities will have a higher probability of being sampled. An equal number of
facilities from each area should then be sampled. Information on which area a facility belongs to, will generally
be available through a master facility list. To sample the areas, use the same approach as for sampling facilities,
except the names of the sampled areas are selected, instead of the facility name. Then the sampling procedure
will have to be repeated for selecting facilities within the selected geographical areas. How to do random
sampling in excel is described in section 1.4.
Using the described approach for cluster sampling will not influence the chance of a given facility to be sampled.
Hence, the weights used for the facilities will remain unchanged.
Using cluster sampling makes it necessary to increase the sample size. The design of a cluster sample makes it
less representative because facilities located close to each other tend to be relatively equal, compared to other
facilities. This is described as the design effect, and can be adjusted for by inflating the sample by the design
effect factor. The design effect is described in more detail in Annex 1.
Blend of list and area sampling
More details on the blend of the list and area sampling methodology can be derived from the Sampling Manual
7
for Facility Surveys for Population, Maternal Health, Child Health and STD Programs in Developing Countries .
Replacement facilities
Replacement facilities should be selected in the event that a facility in the sample cannot be surveyed (i.e.
facility is closed, facility has relocated, etc.).
The replacement facilities should be selected In the Excel worksheet used to identify the sampled facilities. As a
rule of thumb, identify the next 10 facilities listed after the facilities in the sample for each strata. These will
serve as the replacement facilities in case of need.

2. Sampling
Example 1: Determining sample size
The following example will describe the steps for calculating the sample size for a nationally representative
sample stratified by facility type and managing authority. Note: this is a simple example for calculating sample
size in order to demonstrate the basic steps.
1.

Determine how many facilities are in the sampling frame categorized by facility type/managing authority.
Facility type/ managing
authority
Hospital- public
Hospital- private
Health centre- public
Health centre- private
Health post- public
Health post- private
Total

Total number
of facilities
27
19
51
235
713
152
1197

Determine the sample size for primary level facilities based on the total number of facilities in the sampling
frame and the strata of interest. For the SARA, hospitals are typically oversampled to ensure there is a
sufficient number of them in the sample for the hospital specific indicators. Hence, it is suggested to
include all hospitals in the sample.

Using the following formula:

n = [[ ( z2 * p * q ) + ME2 ] / [ ME2 + z2 * p * q / N ]]*d
where:
n = sample size
z = confidence level at 95% (1.96)
ME = margin of error (15%)
p = the anticipated proportion of facilities with the attribute of interest (.5)
q = 1-p
d = design effect (1) add footnote on design effect

All
facilities

Hospitals

Primary

Hospital- public

Hospital- private

Health centre- public

Health centre- private

235

Health post- public
Health post- private
Total

Primary
sample
size

Hospitals

Total
sample
size

1.96

0.5

0.15

1.96

0.5

0.15

1.96

0.5

0.15

235

1.96

0.5

0.15

713

1.96

0.5

0.15

152

1.96

0.5

0.15

1197

1151

136

182

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA)

Oversampling of strata where there is most likely to be variations (strata with less than 30 facilities) should
be done. This will give the final sample size and sampling proportions for the sample.

Primary
sample
size

1.96

0.5

0.15

1.96

0.5

0.15

1.96

0.5

0.15

235

1.96

0.5

0.15

713

1.96

0.5

0.15

1.96

0.5

0.15

All
facilities

Hospitals

Primary

Hospital- public

Hospital- private

Health centre- public

Health centre- private

235

Health post- public

713

Health post- private
Total

2.3

152

1197

1151

Hospitals

Total
sample
size

Oversampling
of strata

136

182

188

Probability sampling
in Excel

Once the sampling fractions for each stratum have been determined, the facilities from each stratum should be
selected using a probability sampling method. The list frame should be partitioned according to the chosen
stratification, and within each stratum (e.g. a list of hospitals in Region 1), the facilities to be included in the
sample should be selected by simple random sampling or systematic sampling. Replacement facilities for those
facilities that are closed or otherwise cannot be accessed can be selected using the same method. Alternatively,
to facilitate logistics, the closest facility of the same type in the same geographical area can be selected.
First select the facilities to be included in the sample from the MFL. The MFL should be divided up according to
the categories selected to determine the sample (e.g. the ones mentioned in step 5 in section 1.3). If the MFL is
in a Microsoft excel workbook, copy and paste each strata of facilities into a new worksheet within the
workbook.
On each sheet add a column called Random. Type “Random” into the first cell. In the column to the right of the
column called Random, type the word “TRUE” in the first cell, as illustrated by the yellow fields in the figure
below.

2. Sampling
Use the following formula to assign a random unique number to each facility.
=IF($B$1, TRUNC(RAND()*(1000000-1)+1), A2)
Copy and paste the formula into the first cell of the column called Random. Place the cursor at the lower right
corner of the cell with the formula and pull it downwards. If the columns named “Random” and “TRUE” is not
in the first two columns (A and B), please change A to the letter of the “Random” column and B to the letter of
the “TRUE” column in the formula. A random number will be assigned to each of the facilities.
Then change the word TRUE to FALSE. This will freeze the random numbers so that they don’t regenerate new
random numbers.

A warning box may appear similar to the following:

Click on OK. Then filter the data so that the column Random is in descending order, from the largest to the
smallest.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA)

See the final sampling table in section 1.2 step 5 and determine how many facilities in the strata should be
selected. Highlight starting from the first facility in the list through the total number of facilities needed for the
sample in that strata. These facilities will be included in the survey sample. Repeat for each of the strata
identified above. Then select the next ten facilities in each worksheet as replacement facilities.

2. Sampling | Annex
Annex 1 | Calculating the sample size for SARA
8

The following formula is commonly used to calculate the sample size for SARA :

n = [[ ( z2 * p * q ) + ME2 ] / [ ME2 + z2 * p * q / N ]]*d
where

n is the sample to be calculated,
Z 2 is the square of the normal deviate at the required confidence level,

ME is the margin of error,
p is the anticipated proportion of facilities with the attribute of interest,
q is 1 − p , and
d is the design effect
Each parameter is explained in detail in the table below:

It is customary to use a 95% level of confidence, for which the corresponding value of
Thus

Z is 1.96.

Z =3.84.

The margin of error is the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results. For SARA, a
margin of error of 15% is generally used.

Most SARA estimates are of the form “percent p of facilities with attribute X.” It is necessary to
have some idea of the value of p in order to use the formula to calculate sample size. It is not
necessary for the value of p used for the sample size calculation to be very accurate (otherwise
there would be no need to conduct the survey), and it can be obtained from previous surveys
conducted in the country, or from similar countries that conducted similar surveys.

The design effect is a value that reflects the ratio of sampling variances, where the numerator is
the variance of the sample design being used for the particular facility survey in question, and the
denominator is the variance that would result if a simple random sample of facilities with the
identical sample size had been used. The design effect reflects the effects of stratification, stages of
selection and degree of clustering used in the facility survey. Generally, the clustering component,
which is a measure of the degree to which two facilities in the same cluster have the same
characteristic compared to two selected at random in the population of facilities, contributes the
biggest effect. The interpretation of the design effect is that it shows how much more unreliable
the sample is compared to a simple random sample of the same size. If the design effect were 1.2,
for example, the facility sample would have sampling variance 20 percent greater than an
alternative design using simple random sampling.
For a stratified sample drawn from a list frame without clustering, the recommended sampling
strategy for SARA, the design effect should be approximately 1.0. Therefore it is recommended to
use a value of d = 1.0 for a stratified list sample.
If a different sampling strategy is used, then the design effect could be higher. For example, a
cluster sample is expected to have a higher value of d . If a country has information from a
previous survey that suggests the value of the design effect, this value should also be used to
calculate the sample sizes. For the blend of list and area sampling mentioned earlier, it is
recommended to use a value of d = 1.2.

Several equivalent formulas exist.

3. Questionnaire
adaptation

3. Questionnaire adaptation
The standard SARA questionnaire for measuring service availability and readiness should be adapted for
country use to reflect the needs and specificities of each health-care system. When adapting the health facility
questionnaire, consideration should be given to how changes will affect data collection, and adjustments
should be made to ascertain that definitions are specific enough to assure comparability across the country and
within districts.
It is important to remember that the SARA methodology is not intended to provide comprehensive data on all
aspects of health system functioning. Rather, it focuses on key "tracer" elements that are critical to
programmes that are scaling up or that are indicative of the essential health system underpinnings or
"readiness" to do so. This should be kept in mind while adapting the questionnaire and adding additional
questions or modules.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

3.1

Country adaptation

The adaptation of the SARA questionnaire should take place in the planning and preparation phase. It should
be conducted by the SARA survey technical team in close collaboration with national stakeholders and the key
resource persons from the appropriate technical units.
The following areas of the SARA tool should always be adapted to the country context:
Areas

References

Comments

Health facility types

National classification of health
infrastructures

The facility types classification should
reflect the national classification,
including both public and private
structures. It should be in conformity
with the service package offered by
each facility profile (based on the
national Basic Package of Essential
Services, if available).

Health facility managing authority

National classification of health
infrastructures

The managing authority types should
reflect the national classification of
authorities potentially in charge of a
facility.

Staffing categories

Official categorization of human
resources for health

The proposed human resources list
available in the questionnaire should
be mapped to the official
classification of certified health
personnel and appropriate cadres
added.

Guidelines for services

National guidelines for health
services

List of guidelines in the questionnaire
should reflect official guidelines.

Country specific medicines policy

National drug policy and any other
specific drug policies (essential
medicines, TB, …)

Standard lists of tracer items for
medicines are proposed in the
questionnaire according to
international standards*. If there is a
country specific regimen for certain
treatments it should be edited
accordingly (tracer items).

ARV national protocol

The ARV section of the questionnaire
lists all ARV drugs. The ARV section
should be customized based on the
official recommended first line
treatment and medicines
recommended for PMTCT.

Official training cycle for health
workers

A standard of 2 years interval in
training cycle updates for staff is used
in the questionnaire. If the timeframe
for staff training updates is different
according to the official policy it
should be reflected in the
questionnaire.

Trained staff

* Details references for medicines are available in the SARA Indicators Index.

3. Questionnaire adaptation

3.2

Editing the structure
of the questionnaire

The SARA questionnaire is also available in electronic format along with automated tools for data processing
and production of results. If these automated tools are to be used, editing the structure of the questionnaire
should be done as follows:
• Adding a question: -Country-specific questions that are key in measuring tracer elements for service
delivery can be added to the questionnaire. A practical and recommended way to number these specific
country questions is to use the country ISO.2 code*. For example:
− SL_01 : where SL corresponds to the ISO.2 code for Sierra Leone + numbering (sequential according
to the number of questions added)
*For detail list of country ISO codes please refer to:
http://www.iso.org/iso/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/country_names_and_code_elements.htm
• Deleting a question: It is possible that certain questions might not be relevant and applicable to a
country. In this case a question can be deleted. It should be removed from the questionnaire and the
question number should be deleted as well and not re-used. This should remain occasional- the SARA
aims to measure a minimum of tracer elements that are defined for service delivery. Deleting too many
questions will change the measurement’s parameters.
• Changing a question’s text: Question text should not be replaced by another question text. Clarification
can be added in parenthesis to help the respondent understand the question if needed. It is very
important to keep each question with its original numbering, therefore we ask that you add or delete
questions but DO NOT change the content of existing questions.
• Skip patterns: Any addition or deletion affecting a skip pattern in the questionnaire should be updated
accordingly.

3.3

Important tips

• Do not change numbering: the original numbering structure of the standard questionnaire should be
kept. Changing the numbering will affect links to the existing tools for automated data processing and
results production.
• The goal of the SARA is to measure based on key tracer items the minimum package of services that
should be available in the health facilities. It is important not to stray from the SARA concept by adding
a long list of additional items (SARA doesn’t aim to be a census of all items that should be present in a
facility).
• It is also important to remember that adding more to the tool will impact the training, the data
collection and the data analysis. Any question addition should also be consider in term of the analysis
outputs. Before a question is added, it should first be added to the analysis plan so that it is clear how it
will be used in the analysis.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

3.4

Questionnaire
implementation

The SARA questionnaire is available in paper and electronic format.
Paper questionnaire: Any changes should be made according to the country adaptation.
Electronic questionnaire: For the SARA survey, the recommended software for electronic questionnaires is
CSPro. A standard version of the questionnaire is available in that format and all changes should be made
according to the country adaptation. Further information on CSPro can be found at:
http://who.int/healthinfo/systems/sara_introduction/en/index.html
http://www.census.gov/population/international/software/cspro/csprodownload.html

3.5

Adding modules

Commonly, the SARA questionnaire is jointly administered with a data verification module that allows for a
record review in health facilities being surveyed.
The Data Verification module will also need to be adapted based on country requirements. Adaptation consists
of the selection of 4 or 5 core indicators from the proposed module list. The selection should be reflected in the
paper version as well as the electronic format of the DV section (also available in CSPro format).
The SARA questionnaire can also be used in conjunction with additional modules such as management
assessment or quality of care. These specific modules are not part of the standard package and will need to be
designed accordingly.

4. CSPro for SARA

4. CSPro for SARA
For the SARA survey, automated tools for electronic data collection, data processing, and indicator generation
is have been developed using the Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro) software.
A detailed manual with step by step instructions for using CSPro is available as a stand-alone document. The
following topics are covered in the CSPro manual:
Introduction
• CSPro capabilities
• CSPro for SARA
Technical information
• Hardware and software requirements
• Software installation
SARA CSPro application
• Preparing to open the SARA CSPro application
• The SARA CSPro files structure
Configuring SARA
• Create the sample file
• Create the file containing name and number of all the interviewers
• Configure what DV modules to include in the survey
• Change the display language
Getting to know CSPro
• Start CSPro and open the SARA
• Explore the data entry application
Modifying the SARA application
• Modify a dictionary item
• Delete a dictionary item
• Modify a value set
• Modify logic
• Add a new module to SARA
Run
•
•
•

the data entry application
Check the settings
Review forms
Run the application on a desktop or laptop computer

Concatenate data after data collection
• Structure the data correctly
• Edit the core SARA dictionary
• Edit the concatenation programs
• Run the concatenation programs

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Review and edit data in CSPro
• Step 1: Run edit_data application
• Step 2: Open merged data file and check key items
• Step 3: Delete empty records
• Step 4: Check for duplicate facility IDs
• Step 5: Recode “other” responses
• Step 6: Check validity of GPS coordinates
• Step 7: Supervisor validation cases
• Step 8: Batch application for completeness
• Step 9: Dependent verification (if applicable)
Batch edit application for indicator generation
• Step 1: Open and explore the batch application
• Step 2: Assign strata for analysis
• Step 3: Apply weights
• Step 4: Edit country specific items
• Step 5: Run the batch application
Export indicators
• Step 1: Open the CSPro Export Data application
• Step 2: Select items for export
• Step 3: Export data

5. Data collector’s guide

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

5.1

Overview of data
collection procedures

The Service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) is designed to function as a systematic tool to support
annual verification of data and service delivery at the facility level. It intends to cover public as well as private
and faith-based health facilities. The goals of the survey is to provide evidence based data on health system
progress to inform the annual health sector review, identify gaps and weaknesses responsible for sub-optimal
service provision and intervention coverage that need to be addressed. It also provides a baseline for planning
and monitoring scale-up intervention for service delivery improvement for maternal and child health, HIV,
TB,malaria and NDCs among others .
The Data Collector's Guide is designed to provide interviewers with the knowledge and skills necessary to
effectively conduct a health facility assessment. It is intended to support and guide staff members who have
been identified as interviewers for conducting health facility assessments. The guide provides general
instructions on the interviewing skills required to gather information; detailed explanations and definitions of
specific questions to ensure a uniform understanding of the content and a consistent approach to recording
results by different data collectors across different facilities; and instructions on how to collect data at a facility.
The primary objectives of the Data Collector's Guide are to:
• Introduce participants to the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool (SARA) as well as the
Facility Reporting Data Verification Tool (record review).
• Gain an understanding of the rationale for conducting a health facility assessment
• Instruct participants on how to conduct an interview and complete the questionnaires
• Familiarize participants with paper-based and CSPro data collection methodologies

5.1.1

Survey approach

Objectives of the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool
The Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool has been developed for interviewers to collect
information on core functional capacities and availability of services in health facilities. The assessment tool is
designed to rapidly assess and monitor service availability and readiness with a focus on a number of core
health interventions. It does not attempt to measure the quality of services or resources, nor is it disease
specific.
The SARA methodology has been developed by USAID and WHO in close collaboration with Ministries of Health
and global partners to:
• Assist countries in assessing and monitoring service availability at district and health facility levels;
• Monitor scale up programs;
• Assess equitable and appropriate distribution of services and resources; and
• Support decision making by providing national and district planners with the skills and tools required to
map and monitor service and resource availability on a regular basis.
This approach aims to fill critical data gaps required for monitoring health systems strengthening and is
designed to be implemented as a routine monitoring system of services at district and national levels.

5. Data collector’s guide
Objectives of the facility reporting data verification tool
The Facility Reporting Data Verification Tool is jointly administered with the SARA and allows record review in
health facilities being surveyed. The goal of the data verification module is to provides key information on data
quality of monthly reported data from health facilities to the superior level by comparing discrepancies
between data in primary source and monthly report). This crucial information is integrated in the data quality
report card (DQRC).
Data collection instruments
A standard core questionnaire has been developed for the SARA. This questionnaire is typically adopted in its
entirety and then adapted at country level with adaptations to certain elements such as names and types of
facilities, personnel, first line drugs, etc. It is usually tested during an in-country pilot visit for final adjustments
and validation.
The tool is usually used in conjunction with supplemental modules such as the Facility Reporting Data
Verification tool (enclosed at the end of the SARA questionnaire).
The collection instruments are paper based or used in conjunction with electronic collection devices (tablets,
laptops, etc.).
Role of the interviewer
The interviewer's main responsibility is to use the questionnaire appropriately to collect information that is as
accurate as possible by asking questions of the appropriate respondents and accurately recording responses.
The health facility assessment will be completed in teams. Typically, each team will include 2 persons
responsible for data collection who work closely with a field supervisor.
The data collectors main tasks include:
• Visit health facilities and collect information.
• Verify geographic coordinates (if relevant).
• Complete a SARA data collection paper form and/or an electronic form, as well as the facility reporting
data verification and other modules if relevant.
• Back up electronic data on a memory card/USB key.
• Report back to the field supervisor at the end of each day.
Survey regulations
The following survey regulations have been established to ensure the success of the Service Availability and
Readiness Assessment tool and will be closely adhered to by all interviewers.
• The interviewer's attendance during each day of the fieldwork is required. Any person who is tardy or
absent during any part of the fieldwork (whether it is a whole day or part of a day) without prior
approval may be dismissed from the survey.
• Throughout the fieldwork period, interviewers are representing the implementing agency. Your conduct
must be professional and your behaviour must be congenial when dealing with the public. You must
always be aware of the fact that we are only able to do our work with the good will and cooperation of
the people we interview. Therefore, any team member who is consistently overly aggressive, abrupt, or
disrespectful to others may be dismissed from the survey team.
• For the survey to succeed, each team must work closely together. Any team member who, in the
judgment of the survey manager, is a disruptive influence on the team may be asked to transfer to
another team or dismissed.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
• It is critical that the data gathered during the fieldwork be both consistent and accurate. Field staff may
be dismissed at any time during the fieldwork if the quality of their work is inadequate.
• Vehicles and gasoline are provided for the survey for official use only. Any person using a vehicle for an
unauthorized personal reason will be dismissed.
• Data are confidential. Under no circumstances should confidential information be passed on to third
parties. Persons breaking these rules, and therefore the confidence placed in them by respondents, will
be dismissed.

5.1.2

Planning the SARA fieldwork

The following describes the activities that concern data collectors in the planning the SARA fieldwork.
Fieldwork schedule
The field supervisor will assign each team a list of facilities to be visited for data collection. The list will include
the name and location of the facility as well as the facility identification information required in the SARA
questionnaire.
If the information is available, the list may include the name of the person in-charge at the facility, telephone
numbers or other information on how to contact the facility, and the hours during which the facility is open
and/or various services offered. The field supervisor will also provide the team with a map showing the location
(or approximate location) of all of the facilities on their list.
The team generally will need to arrive at a facility on or before the official opening hours; therefore, the
lodgings that the team will use each night must be within a reasonable distance of the facility that is to be
visited on the next day.
Advance contact with authorities/facilities
Generally, the survey manager or another senior member of the team will have notified appropriate authorities
of the nature and purpose of the health facility assessment in advance of the fieldwork. An official letter from
the managing authority for the facilities being surveyed should have been sent to the regional or district offices
for that organization. Each team should also have a copy of the letter to show at facilities if necessary
Logistical arrangements
Prior to departure for fieldwork, the field supervisor must ensure that the team has the questionnaires and
other materials necessary to complete the assignment.
Each morning before leaving for field visits, the team should check that they have all necessary materials.

5. Data collector’s guide
Checklist of materials for data collectors:
 A list of data collection teams and contact information.
 The contact details of the field supervisor, including a mobile phone number to call in case of difficulty
in the field (with sufficient credit) .
 A schedule of visits to survey sites.
 The contact details of the sites to be visited.
 Details of backup facilities to be visited if scheduled visits are not possible.
 Copies of letter of introduction.
 The SARA data collectors' guide (part1 and part2).
 A SARA data collection form for each health facility to be visited that day (with cover page pre-filled by
field supervisor).
 A SARA data collection form for each backup site that may need to be visited that day.
 An EDC/tablet/laptop (fully charged with CSPro installed and loaded with the SARA questionnaire) a
charger and battery.
 A memory card/USB stick for data backup.
 A fully charged and accurately configured GPS unit (if relevant).
 A fully charged cell phone with credit
 Pens (pencils should not be used to record data), a clipboard and other supplies.
 A notebook to record any significant events or findings.
 A field allowance for local expenses.
 An identity document with a photograph for each data collector.

5.1.3 Activities during facility visit
There are a number of general procedures to be followed by a survey team during a visit to a survey facility.
These procedures are outlined in the following sections.
Locating and verifying the survey facility
The field supervisor has provided you with a list of the facilities you are responsible for surveying. Every
attempt should be made to conduct the survey at each facility on your list. If after contacting local authorities,
you cannot locate a health facility on your list, or are not sure about whether a facility that you have found is
actually the one identified on the facility list, contact your field supervisor. If a facility included in the
assignment has closed, no interview will be necessary, just note that fact on the cover sheet of the assigned
questionnaire. Finally, no facility not listed in the sample should be visited and interviewed unless specifically
approved by the survey manager.
Validating the cover page of the questionnaire
Before starting the data collection, the data collectors should check that the information on the first page of
the data collection form (cover page) is complete and correct (pre-filled by the field supervisor). If there is any
mistakes, inform the field supervisor at the end of the day. If applicable, enter this information on the
electronic form on the electronic data collection device/tablet or laptop.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
The following information should be completed by the data collectors on the first page of the data collection
form prior to starting the survey:
• Date
• Name of the data collectors (interviewer)
• Number/code of the interviewers’ team (given by the field supervisor prior to the fieldwork)
Geographic Positioning System data collection
Upon arrival at the health facility to be surveyed, fill out the geographic coordinates section of the
questionnaire included in the cover page. The global positioning system (GPS) which is a space-based satellite
system will be used to precisely locate the geographic position of the site. Step-by-steps instruction on using a
GPS device is available on Section V.
Gaining permission to survey the health facility
Data collection teams will be visiting facilities operated by the government, others operated by nongovernmental organizations, and perhaps other private health facilities. All facilities must give permission for
the survey to be conducted on their premises. The day of the survey data collectors may provide reassurance
to facility staff that results will only be provided so that no individual respondent can be identified.
The first contact at the site should be made by asking to speak with the person in charge. If the official “incharge” is not present the day of the survey, the data collection team should ask to see the person acting “incharge” for the day. The data collectors will then:
• introduce themselves
• explain the purpose of the visit and the activities that are a part of the survey
• give the person in-charge the introductory letters from the relevant organization and the letters
explaining the survey and giving the authorization to visit the facility.
• when consent obtain, sign the inform consent section in the cover page of the questionnaire to indicate
the consent from the person in-charge has been obtained.
If you are refused an interview in the facility and nothing you say can make the in-charge reconsider, contact
the field supervisor, and provide the name of the facility, its managing authority, and location. The field
supervisor will make every attempt to contact appropriate persons who can help to convince the health facility
staff to allow the interview.
Meeting with the person in-charge of the facility
An important objective of the survey is to obtain correct and consistent answers to the questions. As the
questions relate to a facility and not to a specific person, the information can be obtained from a variety of
respondents as long as they are knowledgeable about the topic. During the interview, interviewers may need
to speak with various respondents in order to obtain complete and correct information.
The data collectors are responsible for working out a plan for completing all components of the questionnaire
at each facility. They should discuss the plan with the in-charge. It may be helpful to meet with relevant
supervisors (at large facilities) and other staff who may be requested to allow interviews and observations
during the team’s visit. For a small facility this may be relatively easy since most services are in the same
general area. For larger facilities, this may involve different departments.

5. Data collector’s guide
Duration of the survey
Duration of the interview will depend on the size of the facility and the availability of suitable staff to provide
the answers to the questions, but generally should be 3 – 5 hours for a small health post or health centre and
up to a day for a hospital*.
* For conducting both the SARA and the Facility Reporting Data Verification Tool

5.2

Interviewer skills

Collecting data that accurately reflect health services available at a facility, whether it is a small health post or
an urban hospital, requires skill and practice. This section provides general instructions on the skills required
for gathering this information. The data collectors should remember that the survey findings are only as good
as the data from which they are calculated. The quality of that data depends to a large extent on the
interviewer.
Below are some basic instructions on the practices that should be used when interviewing respondents and tips
for how to handle difficult situations that you might encounter while conducting an interview.

5.2.1 General interviewing practices and techniques
In order to obtain accurate information from a health provider at work in a health service setting, it is very
important that they be engaged in the data collection process. There are several basic ways to gain the
provider’s cooperation while collecting accurate and specific information.
Showing respect for the respondent
The interaction between the interviewer and all respondents is very important. All respondents should be
treated respectfully and politely. The respondents should know that their cooperation and the time they are
taking to help make the survey successful is very much appreciated.
A respondent's first impression of the interviewer will strongly affect his/her willingness to fully participate in the
interview. Therefore, it is important that the interviewer approach each person to be interviewed and his/her
colleagues at work in a friendly, respectful, and professional manner.
One basic way to show respect for a health worker at work is to be considerate of what they need to accomplish
during their workday and to let them know that there will be no interference with their client-related tasks. Two
ways to accomplish this are: 1) If the health worker to interviewed is busy with a client, the interviewer should wait
until that visit is completed before approaching him/her; and 2) the interviewer should wait until there are no
clients around or until there is a qualified person available to complete the questionnaire. The interviewer will
discover other ways to fit smoothly into the health worker's busy schedule while gaining more experience gathering
data in a variety of health service settings during the survey implementation.
If it appears that there will never be a convenient time for collecting the data, the interviewer should discuss with
the health worker or the staff member in charge to determine the best approach for collecting the required data
with the least interference possible.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Listening carefully to the respondent
Listening carefully to what the respondents say is as important as asking the questions on the questionnaire,
and demonstrates respect. Some questions in the questionnaire require the interviewer to listen to what the
respondent says and record it by simply circling a printed response category. Sometimes, the interviewer must
write down exactly the answer given by the respondent if the answer does not fit in any of the listed categories.
In either case, the interviewer should listen well. He/she should not rush into circling the code category before
he/she has really listened to the respondent. This may be taken as a sign of disrespect or not paying attention.
More importantly, people who rush into coding a response are often in danger of attributing their own biases,
preferences, and favourite response categories to their respondents.
Requesting consent from the respondent prior to asking questions
There is a consent form and some background information that should be read to the respondent prior to
beginning the interview. This is located at the start of each questionnaire. The interviewer is required to read
the information in its entirety to the respondent and then request his/her consent before starting to ask
questions. Without the respondent's consent the interview cannot proceed beyond the cover section.
Answering the respondent's questions without pressuring them
Some respondents may question the interviewer about the purpose of the survey before agreeing to
participate. In this situation, the interviewer should answer the respondent's questions as directly as possible.
If the respondents feel that the information is important and that the interviewer is sympathetic to their
situation, they will be more straightforward with responses and will be more likely to answer questions to the
best of their ability. If they feel pressured to respond, or feel that the interview is a burden, they may not
carefully think about responses.
Offering no opinions or advice on specific health facility practices or patient care
issues
If a respondent has specific questions that require the interviewer’s medical opinion or advice, he/she should
politely respond by saying that he/she is here to collect information to provide an overview of the services, and
that he/she is interested in the systems and practices at this facility. Explaining this and then simply stating, “I
am not in a position to provide any advice or opinions” may be sufficient. It is important to remember that the
job is not to educate respondents, but only to collect information from them.
Reading every question exactly as written and in sequence
The wording of each question has been carefully chosen and for that reason it is essential that the interviewer
read each question to the respondent exactly as it is written. It is very important for this survey that each
question is asked to each respondent in exactly the same manner. Each section of the questionnaire also has
an introductory paragraph that must be read to the respondent (when applicable) in its entirety.
The interviewer should speak slowly and clearly so that the people who are interviewed will have no difficulty in
hearing or understanding the question. At times, the interviewer may need to repeat a question in order to be
sure the respondent understands it. In these cases, the interviewer should not paraphrase the question but
repeat it exactly as it is written. If, after the question has been repeated the respondent still does not
understand it, the question may have to be restated. The interviewer should be very careful when changing the
wording not to alter the meaning of the original question. During the practice sessions conducted at a facility
not included in the survey sample, if the interviewer find that they have to repeat the same question to several
respondents, a note of this should be made and reported to the field supervisor so that if necessary, the
wording can be changed on the questionnaire.

5. Data collector’s guide
Being straightforward
There are some questions in the survey where the interviewer is asking about the availability of items, and then
asking to see them. Providers will be more cooperative if they know beforehand what to expect. If the
interviewer ask questions and then later ask to see items, people may think you are trying to trick them, or
“checking up” on their answer. In order to have the greatest amount of cooperation, the interviewer should
always tell the respondent what is coming. For example:
“I am interested in knowing if the following basic equipments and supplies used in the provision of client
services are available in the general outpatient area of this facility. For each item, please tell me if it is available
today and functioning. I will need to see the item so that I can completely fill in this questionnaire.”
Probing for a response
Occasionally, a respondent may answer a question incompletely, or seems to have misunderstood the question.
The first thing to do is simply to repeat the question as written a second time. If this does not help, the
interviewer will have to probe to obtain the response. Probing is a way of asking for further information
without influencing the response. For example, “Could you explain that a little more?” or “Could you be more
specific about that?” The interviewer must never interpret a respondent's answer and then ask the respondent
if the interpretation is correct.
There is not a uniform understanding, even between health service providers within the same health facility,
on some of the issues for which we are collecting data or on terms used to describe items or practices. If it
appears that the respondent is not understanding what the interviewer is asking, or the response does not
seem consistent with other information the interviewer has collected, he/she may rephrase or describe in more
detail the item or practice that he/she is asking about, using examples, to ensure that the respondent completely
understands the question to which he/she is responding.
In cases where it may be necessary to provide additional clarification, the interviewer should provide only the
minimum information required for an appropriate response.
If, however, the respondent appears to understand the question and the response still is not consistent, the
interviewer must record the response as given by the respondent.
Never suggesting answers to the respondents
If the respondent's answer is not relevant to a question, the interviewer should not prompt them by saying
something like “I suppose you mean that…Is that right?”. In many cases, the informants will agree with the
interviewer’s interpretation of their answer, even when that is not what they meant. Rather, in most cases, the
interviewer should probe in such a manner that the informants themselves come up with the relevant answer,
e.g.
“Can you explain a little more?” “There is no hurry. Take a moment to think about it”.
Specific questions for which it may be necessary to provide additional clarification will be discussed in the
detailed instructions for completing the SARA questionnaires. Even in these cases, the interviewer should
provide only the minimum information required for an appropriate response. Except when specifically
instructed, the interviewer should never read out the list of coded answers to the respondents, even if they
have trouble in answering the question.
Remaining neutral
The job as an interviewer is to obtain the facts. An interviewer should be friendly, but firm; neutral, but
interested. The tone of voice, facial expressions, and even bodily postures all combine to establish the rapport
you create with your respondent. The interviewer should not express surprise, pleasure, or disapproval at any
response or comment made by the respondent.

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Asking all applicable questions
In most cases, the interviewer will ask questions in the sequence in which they appear in the questionnaire.
However, because the organization of facilities often differs, the interviewer may find that to complete one
section he/she has to talk to more than one respondent, or go to different areas of the facility. It is up to the
interviewer to ensure that when sections of the questionnaire are skipped because the information must be
collected from a different respondent or location, that those sections are completed before departure from the
facility.
Not raising expectations of immediate changes in the situation of the staff or
facility
The interviewer should not raise expectations that he/she can immediately assist with solving problems that
the staff or clients raise as problems. He/she is going to provide information to decision makers and health
planners and administrators, but any changes as a result of the survey will most likely occur over an extended
period of time, and be gradual in implementation. If clients or staffs complain about the poor state of repair of
the facility, equipment, or supplies or other problems, the interviewer should provide a neutral or nonjudgmental response (e.g., “I know these things are difficult”).
Not separating questionnaires
The interviewer should never separate stapled or bound questionnaire forms to speed up the process of data
collection. Experience has shown that this strategy may result in lost pages.
Thank the respondent at the end of the interview
At the end of every interview, the interviewer should thank the respondent for taking time out of his/her busy
schedule, telling him/her it was very much appreciated. They should be asked if he/she can direct the
interviewer to the next appropriate clinic/unit and/or person.

5.2.2

Tips on handling difficult interview situations

The respondent is reluctant to participate
Occasionally, a potential respondent will refuse to participate in the survey. The interviewer should not take
the initial unwillingness of a respondent to cooperate to mean a final refusal. He/she should try to put
himself/herself in the position of the respondent and think of factors that might have brought about this
reaction. The respondent may not be in the right mood at that particular time or he/she may have
misunderstood the purpose of the visit. The interviewer should try to find out why the respondent is unwilling
to participate, and respond accordingly. Some points can be used to persuade a respondent to participate:
• The information he/she provides will help the Ministry of Health and the government to better
understand the effectiveness of programs and make improvements to the program that will ultimately
help the clients.
• If confidentiality is an issue, the interviewer should reassure the respondent that everyone working on
the survey has pledged to maintain confidentiality and that the respondent's name will not be shared
with others, including his/her supervisors or colleagues.
• The respondent cannot be replaced by anyone else.
However, in some circumstances a respondent may continue to refuse. In this situation, the interviewer should
respect the respondent's right to refuse, and thank the respondent for his/her time. The interviewer should not
take these refusals personally.

5. Data collector’s guide
The respondent seems bored
There may be other situations where the respondent simply says, “I don’t know”, gives an irrelevant answer,
acts bored or detached, contradicts something they have already said, or refuses to answer the question. This
happens most when the respondent is concerned about their other clinic/unit responsibilities and wants to get
back to them. In these cases the interviewer must try to re-interest the respondent in the conversation. For
example, if the interviewer sense that the respondent is growing restless, he/she should be reassured that
there are not many more questions and that his/her responses are very valuable.
The respondent is very talkative
If an informant is giving irrelevant or elaborate answers or complaining about something, the interviewer
should not stop him/her abruptly or rudely, but listen to what they have to say. Then the interviewer should
try to steer him/her gently back to the original question. The interviewer can also write down what he/she
says and tell him/her that it is duly noted. A good atmosphere must be maintained throughout the interview.
The best atmosphere for an interview is one in which the respondent see the interviewer as a friendly,
sympathetic, and responsive person who cares about him/her.

5.3

Completing the SARA
questionnaire

The interviewer's main responsibility is to use the questionnaire to appropriately collect information that is as
accurate as possible by asking questions to the appropriate respondents and accurately record the responses.
The instructions and examples below explain the questionnaire form, the various types of questions and
instructions, and procedures for correctly recording information.

5.3.1 Recording the responses
When completing a paper version of the questionnaire, all responses are to be recorded using pens with blue
ink. Blue ink is used because it can be distinguished from the black ink in which the questionnaires are printed.
Red or green ink should never be used in recording responses since these colours are reserved for the survey
manager and field supervisor to use in correcting the questionnaires in the office.
The information recorded in the fields of the questionnaire form will eventually be entered into an electronic
database. At that point, it is very difficult to correct for errors or omissions in the questionnaires. Consequently,
it is very important that all answers be correctly recorded and special instructions in the questionnaire be
followed.
The procedures for recording responses will vary according to the type of question being asked. There are
some basic types of questions in the questionnaire such as pre-coded questions and questions requiring a
numeric response. Samples of all types of questions, and combinations of them, are reviewed below giving
examples.
NEVER LEAVE A RESPONSE BLANK! A blank is recorded as “missing information” because it is not known if
the question was asked or not. If a response is negative, the negative response must be circled. Likewise, if a
response is “don’t know”, the number corresponding to the “don’t know” response must be circled.

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This questionnaire is typically divided into four columns, as shown below. The first column contains the
question number with each question numbered separately within each section. The second column contains
the questions and instructions to the interviewer for posing questions, the third column contains the response
categories, and the fourth column contains skip and other instructions, if necessary.

5.3.2 Instructions
Instructions for the interviewer
It is important to ask the questions exactly as they are written in the questionnaire and in the order in which
they appear. Questions are often accompanied by a set of instructions for the interviewer. Instructions are
usually located in the question column and appear as bold faced CAPITAL LETTERS. Instructions will help you
to remember important directions for asking questions, making correct observations, and recording
information. These instructions should not be read to respondents.
Example:

It is important to pay attention and follow consistently the instructions because they will help the interviewer
complete the questionnaire as accurately and completely as possible.

5. Data collector’s guide
Introducing a set of questions
There are sentences throughout the questionnaire that provide information to the respondent about the next
set of questions to be asked. These sentences must be read to the respondent, so that they know what to
expect from the next set of questions. Respondents who are provided information up front are less likely to be
surprised or uncomfortable about certain questions and much more likely to respond sincerely. Below is an
example of a set of sentences found in the questionnaire that are to be read to the respondent so that they will
know what to expect.
Example:

If, during the training or the pretest, the interviewer finds that information such as this would be useful prior to
a set of questions where there is no narrative, it should be reported to the field supervisor so that the
questionnaire can be modified if necessary.
Skip Instructions
The questionnaire is set up to avoid as much redundancy as possible and to ask only appropriate questions
given a situation. This is accomplished through the use of skip patterns. It is very important to follow these
skips for they will make the questionnaire more concise and relevant and thus increase the cooperation of the
respondent. In the sample question below, if the answer to question 301 is “No”, the providers in the health
facility do not have to answer the following question about overnight observations. The interviewer will skip
the following questions (302-304) and go to question 305. If the answer is “Yes” the interviewer will ask
question 302.
Example:

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Available and functional Instructions

Throughout the questionnaire many questions ask if equipment and supplies used in different services are
available and if so if there functional. The following pattern should be followed to fully answer the question:

Section A: “Availaible”
The respondent is asked if a specific item is available. It the answer is NO, the response “2” should be circled.
As indicated by skip on the questionnaire, the interviewer will go directly to the next item. If the answer is YES,
the answer “1” should be circled. The interviewer should now skip to the section B “functional”

Section B: “Functioning”
The interviewer will need to determine if the item available is functioning at the time of the visit. For these
cases the following criteria will be used:
• “1” for “YES”: Staff reports that the item is in working order thus functional.
• “2” for “NO”: The item does not function if the staff member indicates that it is not in working order.
• “8” for “DON’T KNOW”: The respondent is not certain if the item is in working condition or not, and you
cannot verify the functioning condition (e.g. the place where the item might be is locked and cannot be
accessed at the time of the survey and the respondent does not know about the item).

5. Data collector’s guide
Observation Instructions
Throughout the questionnaire many questions ask if drugs and commodities are present. The following criteria
are to be used for classifying the presence of the item (observed and with valid expiration date on the day of
the assessment):
• "1" for "OBSERVED AND VALID": The item was seen in the service provision area or in an adjacent room
where it can easily be used. The expiration date of the drug or commodities (at least one of them) has
been checked and confirmed valid.
• “2” for “OBSERVED BUT NOT VALID”: The item was seen in the service provision area or in an adjacent
room where it can easily be used. The expiration date of the drugs or commodities has been checked
and confirmed not valid.
• "3" for "REPORTED AVAILABLE BUT NOT SEEN": Staff reports that the item is located in the facility or
immediately adjacent, where it can easily be used, but for some reason (e.g., key to cabinet is missing or
room is locked), the interviewer cannot observe the item. This answer should also be selected when
staff indicates that the item is brought to the service delivery area only at the time services are provided
(thus not being observed by the interviewer).
• “4” for “NOT AVAILABLE TODAY”: Staff reports that the item is usually available in the facility but not on
the day of the assessment.
• “5” for “NEVER AVAILABLE”: Staff reports that the item is never available in the facility.

5.3.3 Question types
Pre-coded questions
For some questions, we can predict the types of responses a respondent will give. The responses to pre-coded
questions are listed in the questionnaire. To record a respondent’s answer, the number (code) that
corresponds to the response should be circled. When numbers indicate coding categories, the interviewer
records only one response for each question. The interviewer should make sure that each circle surrounds only
a single number.
Example:

In some cases, a pre-coded question will include an “other” category. The “other” code should be circled when
the answer provided is different from any of the pre-coded responses. The “other” response should be
specified and written in the space provided. If more room is needed, the margins can be used. The interviewer
should also pay attention to any skip linked to a pre-coded answer.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Example:

Sometimes responses to particular questions must be entered in response grid (table). When recording a
response in one of these grids, the interviewer has to be sure that the answer is entered in the proper row and
column.
Example:

Numeric responses
Several questions require a numeric response. These should be recorded in the appropriate available boxes in
the right column of the table.
Example:

Whenever respondents do not know the answer to a numeric question, the interviewer must circle the “Don't
know” response option. If “Don't know” is not one of the responses then you must probe to get a numeric
response to fill in the boxes. All boxes should have a number recorded in them. Anytime a respondent's
answer requires fewer digits than provided for in the response column, the interviewer must record zeros (0) in
the left-hand box and the respondent's answer in the right hand box.

5. Data collector’s guide
5.3.4

Ensuring quality

All members of the survey team are responsible for ensuring that the data that is collected at each facility is as
accurate and comprehensive as possible. Each interviewer is responsible for:
• Checking that questionnaires filled are complete at the end of each interview, ensuring that all answers
are clear and reasonable, and that your handwriting is legible.
• Returning to the original respondent(s) if questions are omitted or there appears to be errors, in order
to complete the questionnaire. In this situation, the interviewer should apologize, explain that a mistake
was made, and then ask the question again.
• Notifying the field supervisor whenever there are problems in completing the daily assignment.
• Taking into account the field supervisor’s feedback and recommendation on the field work/interview
procedures based on the on-going assessment work.
Correcting mistakes
If a mistake was made while recording an answer or the respondent changes his/her reply, two diagonal lines
through the incorrect response should be used. The interviewer should not try to erase an answer, use whiteout, or write over an answer. It is particularly hard for data entry staff to understand which of two numbers is
correct, if the interviewer has tried to write over a response.
Example:

The interviewer should remember that if there are two responses for a particular question that requires only
one response, it may be impossible later, when the data are being entered, to determine which the correct
answer is. Also, if he/she writes over an answer, the data input staff frequently cannot determine which of the
two responses you meant as the correct response.
Questionnaire editing
Interviewers are required to edit their questionnaires before considering an interview complete. If questions
are omitted or there appear to be errors, he/she must returns to the original respondent(s) if possible. He/she
should apologize, explain that an error was made, and ask the question again.
Editing should be done on the spot in order to avoid the need for re-contacting respondents, which is
impractical given the time frame for fieldwork completion, as well as inconvenient for both the interview teams
and the respondents.

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Check list
All questionnaires should be reviewed from beginning to end for the following:
 Verify that the interviewer has signed the verbal consent.
 Verify that all skip and filter instructions have been respected.
 Verify that the responses are legible.
 Verify that only one response code is ticked for each question.
 Verify that any corrections made by the interviewer are done legibly


according to the instructions above.

 Check that all questionnaires contain the correct number of pages.
 Check that there are no missing responses.

5.4

Using CSPro for data entry

Electronic data collection facilitates collection of more accurate and reliable data in a more efficient, timely
manner. For the SARA survey, electronic data collection is carried out through the use of the Census and Survey
Processing System (CSPro) software. CSPro was developed jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau, Macro
International, and Serpro, SA, with major funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development. CSPro is
in the public domain. It is available at no cost and may be freely distributed.
For information about the Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro), including free download, visit:
http://www.census.gov/population/international/software/cspro/

5.4.1 Installing CSPro
1.

Download the CSPro application from http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/cspro/index.html

Install CSPro 5.0.3 to your computer by double-clicking on cspro50.exe.
This will start the installation wizard.

The setup process takes you through a series of dialog boxes that prompt you for setup information.

Selecting components for installation
CSPro allows you to select which components of the system you want to install. During the installation you will
see the following component screen:
You have the following choices:
• CSPro (all components): Select this if you plan to
develop applications.
• Data Entry Operator (only): Select this if you are
installing a data entry application on a production
machine. The operator will be able to run an alreadycreated data entry application, but will not be able to
make any changes to it. The Data Entry, Compare Data,
Text Viewer, and Table Viewer components are installed.
At any later time, you can change the components installed by rerunning the installation.

5. Data collector’s guide
5.4.2

SARA data entry application

Open the SARA data entry application in CSPro
• To open the SARA data entry application, click on the “SARA_2_0_Menu.pff” shortcut available on the
desktop.
• A new form (Case) opens. You can now start filling the Cover page information:

Text of the
question

• The question text is located on the yellow top window. For each question a pop-up window will appear.
Select your answer and validate your choice by clicking on the green check mark (or press the ENTER
button).

Filling in the SARA data entry forms
• Fill in all the responses for the cover page. When the consent is received from the respondent select “1”
for the answer Q015; the main Menu will automatically open.
• From the main Menu select the form you want to fill-in. Click on the green check mark to validate your
choice.
Please note that it is required to fill-in form 8 on “Obstetric and newborn care” prior to being able to fill in form
19 on “Surgery” and form 18 on “Tuberculosis” prior to being able to fill in form 23 on “Diagnostics” .
• The selected form opens and can be filled. The text question appears
on the yellow top window. The green check mark in the pop-up window is
used to validate the answers.

•
• To save the file go to: File/Save partial case
• The following pop-up window appears. Click “Ok” to continue the
data entry.
Remember to save regularly while filling in the case to avoid any data lost .
• At the end of the form the following pop-up window will appear:

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• Click “Yes” to validate the data entry for the form. You
will then automatically return to the main Menu
• The completed form now appears in the back list.

Stopping data entry in middle of a form
• If you are in the middle of filling a form and need to exit the form for some reasons click on the “X” at
the top right end of the form to close it . A pop-up window opens:

• Select “Partial save” to save the data entered. Another pop-up window will open indicating that “The
current case has been saved”. Click “Ok” to return to the main menu.
• The incomplete form appears on the menu (“incomplete” is indicated into parenthesis.

Note that all forms should be completed prior to leaving the facilities.

Finalizing an incomplete form
• To complete a form, select it from the main Menu and click on the green check mark to validate your
selection
• The form opens and can be finalized. When completed and accepted the form will appear on the back
list and the “(incomplete)” indication should have disappeared.

Closing a case
• When all forms have completed select “Exit” from the main Menu and select the green check mark. The
following pop-up window will appear:

Re-opening a case
• Click on the “SARA_2_0_Menu.pff” on the desk top
• A menu opens. Select the case you want to open and double click on it.

5. Data collector’s guide
• The Cover page of the form (case) opens.

• If no edits have to be done to the Cover page, select 1 from the Consent pop-up window and click on the
green check mark to validate your selection.
• The main Menu opens.

Viewing and editing a module
• If you want to view/edit a module that has already been fully completed, select the option 98 at the
bottom (View/change module already finished) and click on the green check mark. You can now choose
from the list the form that need to be revised.
• Indicate the number of the form you want to review at the right bottom of the window and click ENTER
to validate your choice

• Review the form answers as needed.
• To exit the form click on the last question and press ENTER. The following pop-up window will appear.
Click “Yes” to validate your review and go back to the main Menu

Text of the
question

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
• The question text is located on the yellow top window. For each question a pop-up window will appear.
Select your answer and validate your choice by clicking on the green check mark (or press the ENTER
button).

•

The selected form opens and can be filled. The text

question appears on the yellow top window. The green check
mark in the pop-up window is used to validate the answers.

• To save the file go to: File/Save partial case
• The following pop-up window appears. Click “Ok” to continue the
data entry.
Remember to save regularly while filling in the case to avoid any data lost .
• At the end of the form the following pop-up window will appear:

• Click “Yes” to validate the data entry for the form. You will then automatically return to the main Menu
• The completed form now appears in the back list.

• Select “Partial save” to save the data entered. Another pop-up window will open indicating that “The
current case has been saved”. Click “Ok” to return to the main menu.

5. Data collector’s guide
• The incomplete form appears on the menu (“incomplete” is indicated into parenthesis.

Note that all forms should be completed prior to leaving the facilities.

Closing a case
• When all forms have completed select “Exit” from the main Menu and select the green check mark. The
following pop-up window will appear:

Re-opening a case
• Click on the “SARA_2_0_Menu.pff” on the desk top

A menu opens. Select the case you want to open and double click on it.

• The Cover page of the form (case) opens.

• If no edits have to be done to the Cover page, select 1 from the Consent pop-up window and click on the
green check mark to validate your selection.
• The main Menu opens.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Viewing and editing a module
• If you want to view/edit a module that has already been fully completed, select the option 98 at the
bottom (View/change module already finished) and click on the green check mark. You can now choose
from the list the form that need to be revised.
• Indicate the number of the form you want to review at the right bottom of the window and click ENTER
to validate your choice

Viewing and editing a module
• Start the application by double clicking on the icon on the desktop
• In the menu, go to Mode, select “Add case”

• A new form opens.

5.5

Using GPS for geographic
coordinates collection

This section introduces required steps for geographic data collection using GPS devices. For the purpose of the
description the Garmin eTrex device has been used. Complete functionality of the device are described in the
user manual provided with the Garmin eTrex.
The functions described on this section only focus on the essential steps to collect health facilities geographical
coordinates to complete the national Master Facility List.

5. Data collector’s guide
5.5.1

Features of the Garmin eTrex GPS unit

The eTrex GPS device comprises 5 main buttons as described below:
Internal GPS Antenna
UP button

PAGE button

DOWN button
POWER button
ENTER button

LCD Display
(with backlight)

It requires two AA batteries that should be place on the back of the device (take off back cover).

5.5.2 Overview of the GPS functions
All of the information needed to operate the GPS is found on 4 main “pages” (or display screens).
These pages are:
4.
5.
6.
7.

Satellite
Map
Navigation
Menu

Simply press the PAGE button to switch
between pages.
Use the ENTER, UP, and DOWN buttons to access the different functions of a page.
Satellite
The satellite page shows the eTrex gathering all the necessary
satellite information in order to work. There are two display
options on the Satellite page: Normal Skyview and Advanced
Skyview. Normal Skyview shows you the satellites, satellite signal
strength, and the eTrex's estimated location accuracy. Advanced
Skyview shows the numbered satellites the eTrex is using, their
proximity to your current position, and their individual signal
strengths. To navigate from one to the other, select the ENTER
button and choose the preferred skyview.
Map
The Map Page shows where you are (the animated figure) and provides a real picture
of where you are going. As you travel (the animated figure "walks") and leaves a
"trail" (track log). Waypoint names and symbols are also shown on the map.

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Navigation
The Navigation Page helps guide you to a destination. When you are moving with no
particular destination in mind, the navigation page shows you your moving direction
and speed. When you are moving towards a specific destination, the navigation page
shows you the name of the location, the distance and time to go, and displays a
direction arrow in the compass ring. To navigate, simply follow the arrow.

The Main Menu gives you access to the eTrex's more advanced features.
With the main menu, you can create and view waypoints, create a route,
save and track logs, or access the system setup features.

5.5.3

Setup for map units

From the MENU page, select SETUP, then select the category UNITS in order to specify units of measure.
POSITION FRMT

hddd.ddddd

MAP DATUM

WGS 84

UNITS

metric

NORTH REF

magnetic

ANGLE

degree

5.5.4 Where to collect GPS coordinates
The rules for GPS data collection are as follows:

1. Single facility in a building
• The geographic coordinates should be recorded in front of the main sign attached to the building of the
facility.
• If there is no sign attached to the building then the geographic coordinates should be recorded in front
of the main door or reception area of the facility.

2. Multiple facilities in a single building
• The geographic coordinates should be recorded in front of the sign(s) that lists what facilities are located
in that building (if the sign is outdoors and attached to the building).

5. Data collector’s guide
• If there is no sign listing what is in the building (or if the sign is indoors), the geographic coordinates
should be recorded in front of the main entrance door or reception area of the building.

3. Single facility in multiple buildings
• The geographic coordinates should be recorded in front of the door or main entrance to the reception
area of the facility (preferably where the main sign for the facility is). If there is no reception area, the
geographic coordinates should be recorded in front of the door to the administrative offices of the
facility.

5.5.5 Using the GPS for collecting geographic data
Once you have configured the settings on the GPS receiver, you can use it to record the geographic coordinates
of a facility. Make sure that if the receiver had been previously used to collect data, the internal memory has
been cleared.
1.

Move to main entrance of the building and stand within 30 meters of the main door. It is necessary to
be placed in an open area that has a clear view of the sky and hold the GPS receiver parallel to the
ground so that its antenna is able to receive signals.

Collect coordinate only when the receiver indicates that is has acquired signal from enough satellites
to produce and accurate reading. The message "Ready to navigate" should appear on the GPS receiver
(SATELLITE page) and the accuracy should be lower than 20 meters. In case you do not get the
message "Ready to navigate", wait at the same place for 5 minutes.

When the signal is sufficient and the accuracy is at the recommended level, the geographic
coordinates can be recorded:
•

Go to the MENU page and select MARK

•

Highlight the WAYPOINT number and press ENTER. You can now enter
the facility code (maximum 6 digits or letters)

•

Press ENTER and scoll down to OK

•

Press ENTER to go back to the MARK page

•

Highlight OK using the UP and DOWN button and press ENTER

•

The WAYPOINT is now registered

5.5.6 Retrieving waypoints list from the GPS receiver
To retrieve the waypoints from the list of GPS coordinates collected:
• Go to the MENU page and select WAYPOINTS
• Using the UP and DOWN button you can now look for a waypoint just or previously entered
You can now report the geographic coordinates on the SARA paper questionnaire as well as electronic form (if
applicable).

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Latitude and longitude
Latitude is the north/south value measured from the equator. Longitude is the east/west value measured from
the Prime Meridian that runs through West Africa and Western Europe. A latitude and longitude identifies an
exact location on the earth’s surface. Thus, based on the location of the health facility positive (+) (North/East)
or negative (-) (South/West) coordinates should be properly reported.
In order to conserve battery life, switch off the GPS receiver once the geographic coordinates are recorded.

5.5.7 Checklist for GPS units
Each morning before you leave for visits, check that you have all the necessary materials with you and
remember the following when collecting GPS coordinates.
 Check battery level and verify that the device is properly working.
 Check the settings of your GPS receiver.
 Have questionnaire for data collection ready to be used.
 Make sure to be properly placed for reliability of data collection.
 Report coordinates taking into account location to the Equator and Greenwich meridian.
 Make sure that all information relative to the collected point has been reported
 (in the paper SARA form as well as electronic form if applicable).

6. Supervisor’s guide

6. Supervisor’s guide
The Service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) is designed to function as a systematic tool to support
annual verification of data and service delivery at the facility level. It intends to cover public as well as private
and faith-based health facilities. The goals of the survey is to provide evidence based data on health system
progress to inform the annual health sector review, identify gaps and weaknesses responsible for sub-optimal
service provision and intervention coverage that need to be addressed. It also provides a baseline for planning
and monitoring scale-up intervention for service delivery improvement for maternal and child health, HIV,
TB,malaria and NDCs among others .
The SARA survey requires visits to health facilities with data collection based on key informant interviews and
observation of key items. Supervisors have a key role to ensure that the field data is properly conducted.
The Supervisor’s Guide is designed to provide supervisors with:
• Clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in managing the field data collection and
supervising the data collectors’ teams
• Details of the field data collection procedures and protocols required steps to ensure quality data
collection work
• Steps in using CSPro for electronic data verification and validation

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

6.1

Roles and responsibilities

Field supervisors are responsible for overseeing all aspects of data collection in the survey area(s) for which
they are responsible. This includes:
• Organizing data collection visits in facilities (making initial contact, preparing a schedule of data
collection visits, etc).
• Preparing the necessary materials for data collection.
• Supervising data collection activities:
−
−
−
−

Make sure data collection protocols are followed
Arrange for regular communication with data collection teams
Check data collection forms at the end of each day for completeness and legibility
Ensure data are transferred to computer at the end of each day and at national level by the end of
the assessment

• Validating data collection by re-conducting the survey at 10% of facilities comparing results to those of
data collectors.
• Collecting and storing data collection forms, and sending them to the survey manager.
• Transferring electronic data from electronic data collection devices to survey area computer/laptop.

Field supervisors have a crucial role to play in ensuring data quality and consistency.

6.2
6.2.1

Conducting field activities

Preparing for data collection

1. Schedule survey visits and identify replacement facilities
The survey manager will provide you with a list health facilities and replacement facilities for your survey area.

1. Contact (in person or by phone) each health facility and replacement facility to introduce the
survey and seek permission for data collection:
• Introduce the survey and its objectives
• Use the letter of endorsement and introduction provided by the survey manager
• Stress that individual facilities will not be identified in the results

2. Make an appointment for data collection at a date and time which is convenient for the facility,
avoiding peak hours.
• Plan for approximately 3-4 hours for each data collection visit, plus travel time
• More time should be allotted for large facilities/hospitals (1 day for hospital)

3. Note the name and telephone number of the contact person at each health facility.

6. Supervisor’s guide
4. Explain about the possibility of a second visit for 'validation,' which may take place in 10% of the
surveyed health facilities.
5- If a facility refuses to participate, alert the survey manager who will contact the health facility
directly, and if necessary, provide you with an alternative site. Luckily, this rarely happens.

2. Prepare a schedule of data collection visits for each pair of data collectors

1. Prepare a schedule for each pair of data collectors, including:
• Date and time of each visit
• Name, number, sector and contact person for each health facility
• Address and location of each health facility
• Contact information for replacement facility to be visited if necessary

Example:
Date and time of
appointment

Name of
facility

Contact
person

Location

Managing
authority

ID Number

April 20
10h00

ABC Health
center

Mrs
Nguyen

45 Main
Street
Eastern City
Tel: +22 414
00

Govt

01234

replacement
facility- name
and contact
details
XYZ Health
Center59 main
street
Eastern City

2. Call each facility and confirm appointment the day before the data collection
3. Arrange for regular communications and transport
Once all of the survey sites are known, transportation should be arranged according to the number of sites to
be visited, the number of teams going into the field, and the number of people per team.

6.2.2

Preparing the necessary materials for data collection

1. Prepare data collection form for each facility to be visited

1. The survey manager will provide you with a separate data collection form for:
• Each sample health facility in your survey area;
• Each replacement facility; and
• Each validation visit.
Make sure that there are enough forms according to the list of facilities in the survey area prior to starting the
field data collection.

2. Complete the front page of the SARA questionnaire data collection form with the identifying
information of each sample facility.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Complete the following fields in the cover page of the form:
• Name of health facility
• Health facility unique ID
• Name of town/village
• Region and district
• Type of facility
• Managing authority
Do not complete these fields, as these will be completed by data collectors during facility visits:
• Date
• Name of person(s) who provided information
• Name of data collectors

To be completed by field
supervisors before data
collection visit

2. Material checklist

6. Supervisor’s guide
2. Material check-list
The supervisor will need to make sure that the following material is available each day for the field data
collectors to properly conduct the survey:

Checklist of materials for data collectors
 Contact details of the field supervisor, including a mobile phone number to call in case of difficulty in
the field
 Data collector’s guide and relevant handouts
 A schedule of visits to survey sites and contact details of the sites
 List of data collection teams and contact information when in the field
 Copies of letter(s) of endorsement and letter of introduction
 A data collection form for each facility that may need to be visited that day
 Extra copies of the SARA data collection form
 Electronic data collection devices (fully charged with CSPro application installed and loaded with the
SARA questionnaire) batteries and power cables
 Memory cards or USB keys for data backup
 GPS units (fully charged and accurately configured, if relevant )
 Pens (pencils should not be used to record data), a clipboard and other supplies.
 A notebook to record any significant events or findings
 Field allowance for local expenses
 An identity document with a photograph
 A mobile phone for each team and credit

Checklist of materials needed by supervisors for daily meeting with the data collectors
 Detailed planning of site visits for each data collection team
 Electronic data collection software installed on the laptop (CSPro 5.3) (See instructions in Section 4)
 A fully charged laptop computer with appropriate software for copying data from electronic data
collection device to laptop computer (using memory cards or USB keys)

6.2.3

Supervising data collection activities

Your main responsibilities during data collection are to supervise data collectors and make sure data collection
forms are complete and accurate. Go out into the field regularly with your data collectors to make sure that
the survey protocols are being followed. Identify any problems regarding the data collection process and
resolve them. If you encounter problems that you cannot resolve, report them to the survey manager as soon
as possible.
You are responsible for the accuracy of the data collected by data collectors.
1. Make sure data collection protocols are followed
• Ensure that data collection teams are conducting interviews at the facility
• Keep track of facilities that have been covered from the sample

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
2. Arrange for regular communication with data collection teams
• Provide data collectors with a mobile phone and phone number where they can contact you during data
collection
• Arrange to meet with data collectors at the end of each day of data collection
• Ensure data are transferred to computer at the end of each day

6.2.4

Tracking facilities

The field supervisors should keep a running tally of facilities that have been assessed from the list of facilities in
the sample assigned to them, for example using a table such as the one below:

GREEN = facility has been assessed, data collectors have entered data into CSPro, data has been checked
RED = facility could not be assessed
BLUE = replacement facility
WHITE = not yet covered
• Include information on which facilities were selected for supervisor validations
• Any issues encountered with the data should also be documented in the tally
• This table should be submitted to the survey manager with the electronic data files at the end of the
field work

6.2.5 Daily meeting with data collectors
At the end of each day, supervisors have the responsibility to:
• Meet with data collectors to collect completed forms and resolve any problems encountered
• Review each data collection form completed that day:
− making sure they are complete and legible
− verifying missing or suspicious information
• Uncertain or illegible data should be checked with data collectors, may need to re-contact facility to
clarify
• Sign the last page of each questionnaire to record that it has been checked, but only once you are sure
that data is complete, legible, and there are no obvious mistakes

6. Supervisor’s guide
6.2.6

Storing completed data collection forms

• Completed paper forms should be stored in waterproof plastic bags in the field until completion of field
work, at which time they will be send to the survey manager
• All original data collection forms, including those for validation visits (label clearly!), should be
transferred to the survey manager upon completion of fieldwork
• Field supervisors should retain the copies for use in the event that the originals become lost or damaged

6.2.7 Transferring electronic data collected (using USB flash)
Electronic data should be backed up on a memory card/USB key and transferred to computer of field
supervisor at the end of each day to prevent data loss
Transferring final data files from laptops/netbooks/etc. with a USB flash drive

1. A USB flash drive should be inserted into the laptop/netbook computer that was used for data

collection. The file explorer can be used to navigate to where the SARA data files are stored. This
location was selected at the beginning of data collection.

2. The SARA data file should be copied from the laptop/netbook computer to the USB flash drive. The
USB flash drive can now be ejected from the laptop/notebook.

3. The USB flash drive can be inserted into the desktop/laptop computer that will be used for data

processing. The SARA data files can now be copied and pasted to a folder on the desktop/laptop.

4. This should be repeated for all laptop/netbook computers used for data collection.
Organizing data files from the field collection
The back-up procedure (steps-as described above) should be done every time supervisors meet their teams. It
is important to save the data files in an organized manner to make sure that the latest files enclose data for all
surveyed facilities by each team. A saving procedure as below could be used to save in an organized manner
data in specific folder for each team:
SARA_TEAM1_DATE1
SARA_TEAM1_DATE2
SARA_TEAM1_DATE3

SARA_TEAM1

The latest file for each team should correspond to the final file. This will be validated by the supervisor. A copy
of the final file should be created and renamed:
SARA_TEAM1_FINAL
THE FINAL DATA SET WILL CONTAIN THE FINAL FILES FROM EACH TEAM:
SARA_TEAM1_FINAL
SARA_TEAM2_FINAL
SARA_TEAM3_FINAL

SARA_DATA_COLLECTION_FINAL (REGION X)

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
This final data set should be sent/shared with the identified data manager at central level in charge of the
compilation of the data from field collection. A back-up of all data files (final and stamped with dates) should
preciously be saved as back-up and remain accessible during the cleaning and data processing phase.

6.2.8 Validation of data collection
The supervisor will do a validation visit in 10% of health facilities. They will return to some of the sample
facilities (10% randomly selected within the list) and collect data again, to make sure that the data obtained by
the data collectors is accurate and reliable. To do so, the supervisors will:
• Select facilities for validation at random (randomly select 1 public facility and 1 private facility).
• Conduct the validation visits on the same day as the visits to these facilities by data collector (or as soon
after as possible).
• Compare the data obtained with that collected by the data collectors.
• Identify and resolve any issues/mistakes and discussed with data collectors.
• Data collected for validation should also be entered electronically in CSPro. The consistency of
responses (exact matching) will be analyzed as a measure of quality control.

6.3

Using CSPro for data
checking and validation

6.3.1 Installing CSPro
5. Download the CSPro application from http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/cspro/index.html
6. Install CSPro 5.0.3 to your computer by double-clicking on cspro50.exe.
This will start the installation wizard.

7. The setup process takes you through a series of dialog boxes that prompt you for setup information.

6. Supervisor’s guide
Selecting components for installation
CSPro allows you to select which components of the system you want to
install. During the installation you will see the following component
screen:

You have the following choices:
• CSPro (all components): Select this if you plan to develop
applications.
• Data Entry Operator (only): Select this if you are installing a data entry application on a production
machine. The operator will be able to run an already-created data entry application, but will not be able
to make any changes to it. The Data Entry, Compare Data, Text Viewer, and Table Viewer components
are installed.
At any later time, you can change the components installed by rerunning the installation.

6.3.2 Reviewing data in CSPro
Supervisors should review data transferred to the laptop for completeness and consistency. The following steps
for reviewing the data should be done:
• Data files in CSPro should be checked for each facility
• At a minimum, the following items should be verified:
−
−
−
−
−

The facility code and the facility name match
The level and type of facility are correct (based on the facility inventory)
The data collector ID/team name is correct
Location of facility is correct
The data file does not have any missing values

1. Open SARA CSPro application
− Click on the .pff extension file named SARA_2.0_MENU

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
2. Select the data file to open
• Select the case containing the data for the facility you would like to review, and double-click to open it

3. The case opens on the Cover page form.

• Review the information as per indication at the beginning of this section.
• If no edits have to be done to the Cover page, select 1 from the Consent pop-up window and click on the
green check mark to validate your selection.
• The main Menu opens.
• If changes have been done, click on Q015, select “1” and press ENTER to go to the main Menu

4. Forms completion:
• The main Menu should indicate that all the forms have been filled in. If this is the case, only option 98
(View/change module already finished) and 99 (exit) should be displayed on the menu.
• The rest of the forms should appear on the background menu (grey), indicating that they all have been
filled:

6. Supervisor’s guide
5. Form content:
• To check the content of a form, select the option 98 and click on the green check mark:

• Indicate the number of the form you want to review at the right bottom of the window and click ENTER
to validate your choice

• Review the form answers as needed.
• If any edit are done, make sure to save them: go to “File/Save
partial case”
• To exit the form click on the last question and press ENTER. The
following pop-up window will appear. Click “Yes” to validate
your review and go back to the main Menu

6. When you have completed all necessary modifications to the data, select “Exit” from the main
Menu and select the green check mark
• The following pop-up window will appear:

• Select “Yes” to exit the application. The following confirmation will appear:

• Select “Yes” to accept the revised case.

7. Data processing

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
After data entry, data should be processed in order to compile all data into a single file as well as to check for
inconsistencies and possible errors. Any inconsistencies or errors should be addressed and reconciled in order
to create a final, clean data set that is ready for analysis.
Note: If the standardized SARA analysis tools are to be used, all data processing must be done in CSPro
and the final, cleaned data file must be in CSPro format.

The following are the major steps that must be taken when processing and cleaning the SARA dataset:

1. Concatenation
2. Data cleaning
3. Data verification for completeness
4. Calculating sample weights
5. Calculating the SARA indicators
6. Exporting data
The following sections provides details on the SARA data cleaning and processing. These steps are based on the
use of CSPro for data collection and data processing but they also provide some generic steps and principles.

7.1

Concatenation

7.1.1 Gathering data files into a single folder on a desktop/laptop
computer
After the data has been captured electronically, the data files have to be moved to a single desktop or laptop
computer for further processing. Copying data files from the data collectors’ computers to a back-up
computer/laptop is usually done by the field supervisors (cf. Chapter 6 – Supervisor’s guide). It is also their
responsibility to transfer data collected in the field to the central level.
At the end of the data collection, supervisors should have a folder for each team with the backup files:
SARA_TEAM1_DATE1
SARA_TEAM1_DATE2
SARA_TEAM1_DATE3

SARA_TEAM1

The latest file for each team should correspond to the final file. After validation by the supervisor, a copy of the
final file should be created and renamed:
SARA_TEAM1_FINAL
The final data set should gather the final files from each team:
SARA_TEAM1_FINAL
SARA_DATA_COLLECTION_FINAL (REGION X)
SARA_TEAM2_FINAL
SARA_TEAM3_FINAL

7. Data processing
This final data set should be transfer to the data manager/focal point at central level in charge of the
compilation of the data from field collection. A back-up of all data files (final and stamped with dates) should
preciously be saved as back-up and remain accessible during the cleaning and data processing phase.
A USB flash can be used to transfer data from the supervisors’ computers to the data manager/focal point at
the central level.
When all data have been transferred, there should be only one final data folder enclosing all data files from all
the field teams:
SARA_TEAM1_FINAL
SARA_DATA_COLLECTION_FINAL
SARA_TEAM2_FINAL
(…)
SARA_TEAM25_FINAL

7.1.2 Data concatenation
If the CSPro data entry application has been used, the data will need to be concatenated into a single data file
before any further processing can be done. Concatenation consists of two steps:
1. Combining all the data files by module
2. Consolidating all the modules
If CSPro has been used, the “Concatenate Data” tools in CSPro can be used for these purposes. Before
consolidating the data files, any duplicate facility ID’s should be identified. If there are two or more data files
containing the same exact facility ID’s, CSPro will not be able to consolidate the files since no two cases are
allowed to have identical ID items. If there are duplicates one copy should be deleted prior to consolidating the
data files. For step-by-step instructions on Concatenation in CSPro, please refer to Chapter 4 – CSPro.

7.2
7.2.1

Data cleaning

Tracking facilities

Once all the data has been concatenated, the first step in the review process is to take stock of the data and
determine what has been collected. It is important to check that all facilities in the sample have been covered,
and if not, to keep track of those that are missing. An excel sheet such as the following should be kept by the
supervisors during the field data collection to help for this process:

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
In this example, green is highlighting facilities that were in the original data set and have been assessed. It also
indicates that data collectors have entered data in CSPro and data has been validated (as per the steps
described in the following section). The facilities highlighted in blue are replacement facilities. It is important to
indicate which of the facilities from the original sample have been replaced. Finally the facilities in red are
those which could not be assessed- information on why the facility could not be assessed should be enclosed in
the tracking table.
This information is extremely useful in understanding what happened during the field data collection as per the
original plan. This information will also be very helpful later when calculating sample weights.

7.2.2 Reviewing data files
Each data files should be opened and the following key items checked:

•

Facility name and ID number correspond to each other

•

Facility ID information is correct (facility type, managing authority, as per the master
facility list)

•

The data collector ID is correct

•

All forms have been fully completed

•

Empty cases have been deleted

•

Duplicate cases have been identified and reconciled

•

“Other” responses have been recorded as applicable

•

Geographic coordinates checked (if applicable)

•

Supervisor validations compared with originals and reconciled

If errors are found in the facility name, facility ID number, facility type, or managing authority, etc. these should
be corrected. Key items should be reviewed as follow (based on electronic data collection using CSPro):
Reviewing facility identification
Reviewing facility identification is the first step in data cleaning. It consists on validating the name of the facility
and its corresponding identification code, type, managing authority and location as defined in the country
master facility list. If any updates have been made to the facility identification during the field data collection
all these changes should be captured in the log of the facilities surveyed (as described in the previous section).
This will assist the supervisor and other people in charge of the data handling to understand the facility
identification and why it differs from the initial master facility list.
It is also important to make sure that the Data collector ID is properly entered in case information. In some
cases, the data processors will find discrepancies that need to be reconciled and will need to contact the team
responsible or the original data collection. Having the Data collector ID greatly facilitates this process.
Reviewing completeness of a case
It is important to verify that all forms of a case (CSPro electronic version of the paper questionnaire) have been
filled properly. The completeness of a case should be verified prior to leaving the facility and double-checked
by the supervisor when backing-up the data so that any gaps can be identified and completed if necessary.
Recode “other” responses as applicable
All responses that have “other, please specify” as an answer option should be reviewed to make sure that the
response written in the “other” category does not fall into one of the pre-coded categories. If the “other”
response does fall into one of the pre-coded categories, it should be recoded as such.

7. Data processing
For example: Section 4 - Infrastructure / question Q418: “What is the most commonly used source of water for
the facility at this time?”
• The response have been recorded as “Other” and Q418_A has been recorder as “Piped into facility”
which is an option in the answer options for Q418.
• The response for Q418 should be updated to “1- Piped into facility”
Delete any empty cases
Occasionally a case will be stored by accident that contains no data. These cases should be removed from the
data set.
Final check for any duplicate cases
Duplicate cases are cases with the same facility code. If two cases appear to be duplicates according to facility
name, but do not contain the same data, a list of criteria must be used to determine if it is a true duplicate. The
following data elements could be used as the criteria for determining duplicates:
• district
• facility code/name
• GPS coordinates (if collected)
• facility type
• managing authority
• interviewer's code.
If these are all the same it is safe to consider the cases as duplicates. At this point, the most complete case
should stay in the data set. If both cases are complete, the case with latest time stamp should be kept.
Check the validity of GPS coordinates if applicable
GPS coordinates should be checked to ensure that they fall within the boundaries for the country. Sometimes
latitude and longitude coordinates can be entered incorrectly. All GPS coordinates should be double-checked to
ensure they are valid for the area being surveyed.
For example, all facilities in Kenya should fall within the following ranges:
Latitude: 5°N and 5°S (-5.0000 to 5.0000 in decimal degrees)
Longitude: 34° and 42°E (34.0000 to 42.0000 in decimal degrees)
One common mistake is to not record properly the positive (+) and negative (-) values for coordinates. North
and East coordinates should be positive (+). South and West coordinates should be (-). Another common
mistake is to reverse the recording of longitude and latitude coordinates. Review and edit the GPS coordinates
using the same method used above for reviewing and editing the key items for each facility.
If CSPro has been used for the data collection, steps for reviewing/editing data are available in Chapter 4 –
CSPro.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
7.2.3 Identify supervisor validation records and reconcile with original
record
If supervisor validations have been conducted, it is important to identify them in the data set and make sure
they have been labelled correctly (Q002 and Interviewer Number). A comparison between the supervisor
validation record and the original record should be done and any differences reconciled so that there is ONE
record per facility in the final data set. Step-by-steps instructions on using the CSPro Compare Data Tool to
compare two data files and identify the differences is available in Chapter 4 – CSPro.

7.2.4 Dependent verification if survey was conducted on paper and
entered into CSPro at a later time (if applicable)
Dependent verification is used to check that the electronic data are consistent with the responses in the paper
version of the questionnaire. When you verify a case, you key the case a second time as if you were in Add
mode. Even though there is already data in the data file, CSEntry does not show this to you. All fields on the
current form start out blank. Each time you key a field, the system compares the value you keyed with the
value in the data file. If these two values match, you move to the next field. If the values do not match, you get
a message telling you so. When this happens, simply rekey the field. One of the following situations will occur:
• The second value you key matches the value in the data file. The system assumes your first value is in
error and moves to the next field. There will be no change to the data file for this field.
• The second value you key matches the first value you keyed. The system assumes the value in the data
file is in error and moves to the next field. The new value, which you keyed twice, will replace the
original value in the data file.
• The second value you key matches neither the value in the data file nor the first value you keyed. The
system will throw away the first value you keyed, show you the mismatch message and wait for you to
rekey the field again.
For details on verifying cases, see Chapter 4 – CSPro.

7. Data processing

7.3

Data verification for
completeness

Once the data files have been concatenated, it is possible to run a specific application in CSPro to track data
inconsistencies, allowing more in-depth data cleaning and validation. The application will help identifying
questions not answered that should have been answered and on the other hand, track questions that shouldn’t
have been answered but were based, on the specific skip patterns. For more details on the data verification
application for completeness, please refer to Chapter 4 - CSPro.

7.4

Calculating sample
weights

Sample weights are adjustment factors applied in tabulations to adjust for differences in probability of
selection between units in a sample, either due to design or chance. Whether or not sample weights are
necessary, as well as how to calculate the sample weights, is determined by the survey methodology
implemented. For the SARA survey, if a health facility census methodology is used, no sample weights are
necessary. If a health facility sample methodology is used, sample weights will be necessary unless a strictly
proportional sampling scheme is used in which every unit in the sample has an equal probability of selection.
The recommended sampling methodology for SARA is to cover all hospitals, thus having an oversampling of
hospitals, and to have a nationally and regionally representative sample of lower-level facilities. It is also
recommended that the facilities be stratified by facility type and managing authority. Data must be weighted
during analysis to account for oversampling and to ensure the results reflect the actual distribution of facilities
in the country.
The process of producing sample weights occurs after data collection, once the data have been processed and
cleaned for analysis. They cannot be generated until after fieldwork is completed since they are applied to the
final sample of respondents and computing them relies on final outcome information from data collection.

7.4.1 Calculating sample weights
The following information is needed to calculate sample weights:
• stratification variables used to partition the sampling frame (i.e. were facilities stratified by region,
facility type, managing authority, etc.);
• the number of facilities in the sampling frame (i.e. total number of facilities in the country) by stratum;
• the number of facilities in the selected sample by stratum.
To calculate the sample weights, begin by creating a table with columns as shown in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1 Sample weight calculations: table layout

Stratification variable
1

Stratification variable
2

Stratification variable
3

Number of facilities
in the sampling
frame

Number of facilities
in the sample

Weight

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Fill in Columns A–E with the information from the survey methodology. For example, if the sampling
methodology was to stratify by region and facility type, the regions would be displayed in Column A and the
facility types would be displayed in Column B. The number of facilities in the sampling frame that correspond to
the specified strata would be given in Column D, and the number of facilities in the sample that correspond to
the specified strata in Column E. Column F, the sampling weight, is the inverse of the probability of selection of
the sample units by stratum, and is calculated as Column D / Column E, or the number of facilities in the
sampling frame divided by the number of facilities in the sample.
Table 1.2 provides example data for a SARA survey implemented in country X. Facilities in the sampling frame
are stratified by region and facility type. There are four regions (coded 1–4) in the country and five facility types
(coded 1–5). Column C is empty because there are only two stratification variables, and therefore can be
deleted. If there are four or more stratification variables, additional columns would need to be added after
Column C.

Table 1.2 Sample weight calculations: example data
A

Stratification
variable 1

Stratification variable 2

Stratification
variable 3

Number of
facilities in the
sampling frame

Number of
facilities in the
sample

Northern (1)

Weight
(Column D /
Column E)
1.000

Health centre (2)

6.429

Health post (3)

7.909

132

8.250

Clinic (5)

1.667

Hospital (1)

0.857

Health centre (2)

6.667

Health post (3)

7.556

283

8.086

Clinic (5)

1.500

Hospital (1)

1.000

Health centre (2)

6.778

Health post (3)

8.250

179

7.782

Clinic (5)

1.400

Hospital (1)

1.400

Health centre (2)

9.667

Health post (3)

5.000

Maternal child health post (4)

7.250

3.000

Hospital (1)

Maternal child health post (4)
Southern (2)

Maternal child health post (4)
Eastern (3)

Maternal child health post (4)
Western (4)

Clinic (5)

7. Data processing

7.5

Calculating SARA
indicators

SARA indicators can be calculated manually or using other software. Step-by-step approach on calculation of
SARA indicators is available on the Chapter 8 – Data analysis. If CSPro has been used for the data collection, a
Batch Edit application for generating the SARA indicators is available. It contains logic that you can apply
against one set of files to produce another set of files and reports. For the SARA we will use a batch edit
application to create additional variables, specifically the SARA indicators.
For the SARA questionnaire, all the SARA indicators have been placed in the data dictionary and a batch edit
application has been created to assign the values to each indicator based on the responses to the questions in
the questionnaire. If changes have been made to the SARA core questionnaire, these changes will need to be
reflected in the batch edit application. Defined stratum and calculated weights (if applicable) will also need to
be added to the batch to reflect country specificities.
For detailed step-by-step on calculating SARA indicators using the CSPro batch edit application, please refer to
the Chapter 4 – CSPro.

7.6

Exporting data from CSPro

Once the indicators have been generated in CSpro, they should be exported for analysis. CSPro has a built-in
Export Data application that allows you to quickly and easily export data in a variety of formats. For the SARA
data, the CSProExport data application will be used to export the SARA indicators to a txt file. It can then be
opened, viewed and saved in Microsoft Excel (XLS). For more details on exporting data from CSPro please refer
to Chapter 4 - CSPro.

100

8. Analysis and output

101

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Introduction
Once data have been verified, data analysis can begin. There are many different types of results that can be
obtained from surveys. The types of analysis used depend to a large extent on the design determined in the
planning phase of the SARA survey. Some data analyses are standard and are included in most survey reports.
However, not all of the analyses of the survey data need to be included in the final report, as the focus should
be on the most important and relevant results. Therefore, survey managers should generate the full range of
survey results, and together with the survey coordinating group, select the most significant findings for
inclusion in the final report. It is only by conducting a complete analysis of the survey data that it can be
assured that important findings have not been overlooked. Based on the initial set of results from the standard
analyses, there is often further analysis in areas of interest. Following data analysis, a meeting with the survey
coordinating group should be held to assist in interpreting the results and developing recommendations.
Survey indicators are important in providing crucial information for informed policy choices, especially to
decision-makers, programme planners and policy-makers. Serving as baselines, indicators are important for
setting goals and targets for the future and allow for a certain level of comparability between surveys of
different location and time period. Moreover, indicators help place focus on predetermined areas of a survey
that are deemed to be most useful, relevant and important to the current health system. Having a consistent
indicator set also contributes to standardized analytical reporting.
SARA uses both tracer indicators and composite indicators in data analysis. Tracer indicators aim to provide
objective information about whether or not a facility meets the required conditions to support provision of
basic or specific services with a consistent level of quality and quantity. Summary or composite indicators, also
called indices, are a useful means to summarize and communicate information about multiple indicators and
domains of indicators. Composite indices are useful to help get an overall view of the situation and to
summarize multiple pieces of information. For SARA, composite indices are useful to compare districts or
regions or to look at change over time. However, composite indices also have limitations. It can be difficult to
understand the individual factors contributing to an index score, and thus it is important to have information
on individual indicator items in addition to composite index scores.
The following sections provide an overview of how to calculate SARA indicators and indices. A detailed
tabulation plan is available as Annex and can serve as a guidance document for creating SARA output tables
and tabulations. Additionally, the Chapter 4 in the SARA Reference Manual provides a complete listing of the
SARA indicators and their detailed definitions.

103

8. Analysis and output

8.1

Calculating SARA results

This section will go through the steps by steps explanation of the manual calculation of the SARA indicators
and index. The starting point will be the availability of the SARA indicators in XLS format.
The first sub- section will look into calculating the five domains defining the General service readiness. The
second sub-section will go through the steps for calculating the Service specific indicators and index.

8.1.1 General service readiness and indicators
General service readiness is described by the following five domains of tracer indicators:
• Basic amenities
• Basic equipment
• Standard precautions for infection prevention
• Diagnostic capacity
• Essential medicines.
Each domain consists of a set of tracer items. Table 8.1 lists the tracer indicators for each domain.

Table 8.1 General service readiness items and index
General service domains

Tracer items

Domain score
(mean availability of items)

(a) Basic amenities

(b) Basic equipment

104

•

Power (a grid or functional generator with fuel)

•

Improved water source within 500 m of facility

•

Room with auditory and visual privacy for patient
consultations

•

Access to adequate sanitation facilities

•

Communication equipment (phone or short-wave radio)

•

Access to computer with e-mail and Internet

•

Emergency transportation

•

Adult scale

•

Child scale

•

Thermometer

•

Stethoscope

•

Blood pressure apparatus

•

Light source

•

Safe final disposal of sharps

•

Safe final disposal of infectious wastes

•

Appropriate storage of sharps waste

•

Appropriate storage of infectious waste

•

Disinfectant

•

Single-use, standard disposable or auto-disable syringes

•

Soap and running water or alcohol-based hand rub

•

Latex gloves

•

Guidelines for standard precautions

n / 7 × 100, where n is the total
number of items available in the
domain

n / 6 × 100 where n is the total
number of items available in the
domain

n / 9 × 100 where n is the total
number of items available in the
domain

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

General service domains

Tracer items

Domain score
(mean availability of items)

(d) Diagnostic capacity

(e) Essential medicines

•

Haemoglobin

•

Blood glucose

•

Malaria diagnostic capacity (RDT or smear)

•

Urine dipstick - protein

•

Urine dipstick - glucose

•

HIV diagnostic capacity (RDT or ELISA)

•

Syphilis RDT

•

Urine pregnancy test

•

Amitriptyline tablet

•

Amlodipine tablet or alternative calcium channel blocker

•

Amoxicillin syrup/suspension or dispersible tablet

•

Amoxicillin tablet

•

Ampicillin powder for injection

•

Beclometasone inhaler

•

Ceftriaxone injection

•

Enalapril tablet or alternative ACE inhibitor

•

Fluoxetine tablet

•

Gentamicin injection

•

Glibenclamide tablet

•

Ibuprofen tablet

•

Insulin regular injection

•

Metformin tablet

•

Omeprazole tablet or alternative

•

Oral rehydration solution

•

Paracetamol tablet

•

Salbutamol inhaler

•

Simvastatin tablet or other statin

•

Zinc sulphate tablet or syrup

General service readiness index

n / 8× 100 where n is the total
number of items available in the
domain

n / 20 × 100 where n is the total
number of items available in the
domain

(Mean score of the five domains)
(a + b + c + d + e ) / 5

In order to calculate the five domain scores and the general service readiness index, there are four main steps.

105

8. Analysis and output
Step 1. Create variables for the tracer items
Use the definition of each tracer item to create these variables. All variables created for tracer items should
have two possible values: 1 if the criteria are met and 0 if the criteria are not met. This calculation is done for
each facility.
This example is based on a sample set of data in which the variables have already been recoded to equal "1" if
certain criteria are met (for example, the facility has a particular piece of equipment), and "0" if the criteria are
not met. Please refer to the detailed definitions of the indicators in the SARA Reference Manual – Chapter 4 Indicators for indicator criteria.
Table 1.2 provides a sample set of data that shows basic amenities tracer item values for 25 facilities. For each
tracer item, the value is "1" if the item is available in a particular facility, and "0" if it is not.
Step 2. Calculate the mean availability of each tracer item
The mean availability of each tracer item is equal to the total number of facilities that have the tracer item
available (i.e. value = 1) divided by the total number of facilities, multiplied by 100 to get a percentage value.
Table 8.2 shows how the mean availability of items in the basic amenities domain is calculated. This calculation
should be repeated for the tracer items in each of the five general service readiness domains.

Table 8.2 Basic amenities domain: mean availability of items
Facility code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Sum
Total number
of facilities
Mean (sum /
total
% (mean ×
100)

106

Room with
privacy

Basic amenities tracer items
Adequate
Communication
sanitation
equipment
facilities
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
20
15

Power

Improved
water source

1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
8

1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
16

1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
22

0.32

0.64

0.88

Access to
computer with
Internet

Emergency
transportation
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3

1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
17

0.80

0.60

0.12

0.68

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
1.

Sum the total number of facilities that have the tracer item available (i.e. value =1) in each column.
Power = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8
Improved water source = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 16
…
Since the total number of facilities in this example is 25, divide each sum by 25 to obtain a mean
availability for each item.
Power = 8 / 25 = 0.32
Improved water source = 16 / 25 = 0.64
…
Multiply the mean availability of each item by 100 in order to produce a percentage value.
Power = 0.32 × 100 = 32%
Improved water source = 0.64 × 100 = 64%
…

The mean availability of tracer items can be displayed in a graph such as the one in Figure 8.1.

Tracer items

Figure 8.1 Percentage of health facilities with basic amenities items

Room with privacy

Adequate sanitation facilities

88
68

Emergency transportation

Improved water source
Communication equipment

Power

Access to computer with internet and
email

12
0

100

Percentage availability (%)

Step 3. Calculate the percentage of facilities that have all the tracer items
The percentage of health facilities that have all the tracer items for a service is equal the sum of facilities that
have all the items (if all items, health facility score =1) divided by the total number of facilities, and then
multiplied by 100.
Table 8.3 shows how the percentage of health facilities having all the tracer items for the basic amenities is
calculated. This calculation should be repeated for each of the five general service readiness domains.

107

8. Analysis and output
Table 8.3 Basic amenities – health facilities that have all the tracer items
Facility code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Sum

Power

1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
0

Improve
d water
source
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1

Room
with
privacy
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Basic amenities tracer items
Adequate
Communicatio Access to
sanitation
n equipment
computer with
facilities
Internet
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0

Emergency
transportation
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1

HF with all
tracer
items
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1

Total number
of facilities
Mean (sum /
total
% HF with all
items (mean
× 100)

1. Score each facility according to the availability of tracer items. The facilities with all tracer items (each item
=1) will get the score =1. The facilities that don’t have the entire 7 tracer item will score =0.
Power =1, Improved water source =1, Room with privacy =1, Adequate sanitation facilities =1, Communication
equipment =1, Access to computer with Internet =1, Emergency transportation=1
Total = 7 score for facility#1=1
2. Sum the number of facilities that have all items and divide it by the total number of facilities.
1 / 25 = 0.04
3. Multiply by 100 to obtain the percentage of health facilities with all tracer items.
0.04 × 100 = 4%
This means that 4% of the health facilities have all the seven tracers available.
The percentage of facilities having all the tracer items can be displayed with the information generated from
step1 and step2 for a comprehensive view on the basic amenities availability and readiness.

108

25
0.04

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Figure 8.2 Basic amenities – facilities with all tracer items

Step 4. Calculate the general service readiness domain scores
The general service readiness domain scores are equal to the sum of the means that were obtained for each
tracer item in a domain, divided by the total number of items in the domain, and then multiplied by 100.
Table 8.4 shows how the basic amenities domain score is calculated. This calculation should be repeated for
each of the five general service readiness domains.

Table 8.4 Basic amenities domain score
Basic amenities tracer items

A
Number of facilities that have
the item available

Power
Improved water source
Room with privacy
Access to adequate sanitation facilities
Communication equipment
Access to computer with Internet
Emergency transportation
Sum of values
Total number of items
Mean (sum / total)
Basic amenities domain score
(mean × 100)

B
Total number of
facilities

8
16
22
20
15
3
17

A/B
25
25
25
25
25
25
25

0.32
0.64
0.88
0.80
0.60
0.12
0.68
4.04
7
0.58
58

1. Sum the means obtained for each item (e.g. sum the means of all the items in the basic amenities domain).
0.32 + 0.64 + 0.88 + 0.80 + 0.60 + 0.12 + 0.68 = 4.04
2. Divide by the total number of items. For basic amenities, there are 7 tracer items.
4.04 / 7 = 0.58
3. Multiply by 100 to obtain the domain score.
0.58 × 100 = 58
This means that on average, just over half of the tracer items required for basic amenities are available.
The basic amenities domain score can be displayed in a graph such as the one in Figure 8.3. It is presented
along with the results from the previous steps for a comprehensive view of the domain.

109

8. Analysis and output
Figure 8.3 Basic amenities domain score

Step 5. Calculate the general service readiness index
The general service readiness index is equal to the sum of the domain scores divided by the number of domains.
The example in Table 8.5 shows how the general service readiness index is calculated. Once the general service
readiness domain scores have been calculated for all five domains, they can be aggregated to produce a
general service readiness index.

Table 8.5 General service readiness index
General service domains

Domain scores

Basic amenities

Basic equipment

Standard precautions for infection prevention

Diagnostic capacity

Essential medicines

Sum of domain scores

255

Total number of domains
General service readiness index (sum of domain scores / total number of domains)

5
51

1. Sum the five general service readiness domain scores
58 + 77 + 58 + 18 + 44 = 255
2. Divide the sum by the total number of domains to get the general service readiness index
255 / 5 = 51
This means that the general service readiness index, or the mean of the domains scores, is 51.
The general service readiness index as well as the five individual domain scores can be displayed in a graph
such as the one in Figure 8.4

110

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Figure 8.4 General service readiness index
100
77

Score

80
60

58
44

40
18

20
0
General
service
readiness

8.1.2

Basic
amenities

Basic
Standard
equipment precautions
for infection
prevention
Domain

Diagnostic
capacity

Essential
medicines

Specific service availability and readiness indicators

Service-specific availability refers to whether or not a specific service is offered in a facility. Service-specific
availability is calculated as the proportion of facilities offering specific services. The number of facilities that
offer a service become the denominator for the service-specific readiness calculations.
Service-specific readiness refers to the capacity facility has to provide a service that it offers (measured
through consideration of tracer items that include trained staff, guidelines, equipment, diagnostic capacity,
medicines and commodities). For service-specific readiness calculations, facilities that do not offer the specific
service are NOT included in the readiness calculations as these facilities would not expected to be "ready" to
provide a service which they do not offer.
Each service has a readiness indicator that consists of a set of domains, and each domain consists of a set of
tracer items. The following four domains are used for service-specific readiness: staff and training, equipment,
diagnostics, and medicines and commodities. Not all service readiness indicators include all four domains.
Service-specific readiness indicators are available for the following services (cf. SARA Reference Manual,
Chapter 4 – Indicators):
• Family planning
• Antenatal care
• Basic obstetric care
• Comprehensive obstetric care
• Child health immunization
• Child health preventative and curative care
• Adolescent health services
• Lifesaving commodities for women and children
• Malaria diagnosis or treatment
• Tuberculosis diagnosis services
• HIV counselling and testing
• HIV/AIDS care and support services
• Antiretroviral prescription and client management
• Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV
• Sexually transmitted infections diagnosis or treatment
• Noncommunicable diseases diagnosis or management: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic
respiratory disease and cervical cancer screening
• Basic and comprehensive surgical care
• Blood transfusion
• Laboratory capacity

111

8. Analysis and output
Required data sources
Table 8.6 shows the required information and potential data sources for calculating service-specific availability
and readiness.

Table 8.6 Data sources
Information needed

Potential data source

Facility assessment information

SARA

Population data (national and regional/district depending on
how results will be reported)

National Bureau of Statistics

Example calculation
There are five main steps to calculate service-specific availability and readiness.
Step 1. Calculate service-specific availability
1.

Create a variable for each service, where the variable equals 1 if the service is offered and the variable
equals 0 if the service is not offered.

Sum the total number of facilities offering a service.

Divide by the total number of facilities in the sampling frame and multiply by 100 to get a percentage
value.

Repeat for each service for which availability will be calculated.

Table 8.7 can be used to assist in the calculations for 3 and 4 above.

Table 8.7 Calculating service-specific availability
Column 1

Column 2

Column 3
(Column 1 / Column 2) ×
100

Service
Family planning
Antenatal care
Basic obstetric care
Comprehensive obstetric
care
Child health immunization
Child health preventative
and curative care
Adolescent health services
Lifesaving commodities for
women and children
Malaria diagnosis or
treatment
Tuberculosis services
HIV counselling and testing
HIV/AIDS care and support
services
Antiretroviral prescription
and client management
Prevention of mother-to-

112

Number of facilities offering
the service

Total number of facilities

Service availability

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3
(Column 1 / Column 2) ×
100

child transmission
(PMTCT) of HIV
Sexually transmitted
infections diagnosis or
treatment
Noncommunicable disease
diagnosis or management
Basic surgical care
Comprehensive surgical
care
Blood transfusion
Laboratory capacity

Step 2. Create variables for the tracer items that are used to calculate the
service-specific domain scores
Each specific-service indicator consists of a set of tracer items grouped into domains. Use the definition of each
tracer item to create these variables. All variables created for tracer items should have two possible values: 1 if
the criteria are met and 0 if the criteria are not met.
For this example, refer to Table 8.8 for the antenatal care domains and tracer items.

Table 8.8 Antenatal care domains and tracer items
Service

Domain

Tracer items

Antenatal care

Staff and training

Guidelines on antenatal care
Staff trained in antenatal care
Blood pressure apparatus
Haemoglobin
Urine dipstick - protein
Iron tablets
Folic acid tablets
Tetanus toxoid vaccine

Equipment
Diagnostics
Medicines and commodities

This example is based on a sample set of data in which the variables have already been recoded to equal "1" if
certain criteria are met (for example, the facility has a particular piece of equipment), and "0" if the criteria are
not met. Please refer to the detailed definitions of the indicators in the SARA Reference Manual, Chapter 4 for
indicator criteria.
Table 8.9 provides a sample set of data that shows the antenatal care tracer item values for 25 facilities. For
each tracer item, the value is "1" if the item is available in a particular facility, and "0" if it is not.
Step 3. Calculate the mean availability of each tracer item
The mean availability of each tracer item is equal to the total number of facilities that have the tracer item
available (i.e. value=1), divided by the total number of facilities OFFERING THE SERVICE, multiplied by 100 to
get a percentage value.
The example in Table 8.9 shows how the mean availability of items for antenatal care is calculated. This
calculation should be repeated for each specific service.

Table 8.9 Antenatal care: mean availability of items

113

8. Analysis and output

1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
20

Antenatal care tracer items
Urine
dipstick Haemoglobin
protein
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
3

0.44

0.88

Facility
code
Guidelines
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Sum
Total
number
of
facilities
Mean
(sum /
total)
%
(mean ×
100)

1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11

Trained staff
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
22

Blood
pressure
apparatus

Iron
tablets
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
3

1
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
22

1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
19

1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
16

0.80

0.12

0.88

0.76

0.64

Sum the total amount of available items (i.e. value = 1) in each column.
Guidelines = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1= 11
Trained staff = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 22
…

Divide each sum by the total number of facilities to obtain a mean availability for each item.
Guidelines = 11 / 25 = 0.44
Trained staff = 22 / 25 = 0.88
…

Multiply by 100 in order to produce a percentage value.
Guidelines = 0.44 × 100 = 44%
Trained staff = 0.88 × 100 = 88%
…
The mean availability of tracer items can be displayed in a graph such as the one in Figure 8.5.

Figure 8.5 Percentage availability of antenatal care tracer items

114

Tetanus
toxoid
vaccine

Folic acid
tablets

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Staff and guidelines

Equipment

Medicines and commodities

Diagnostics

Staff trained ANC

88
44

Tracer items

Guidelines ANC

BP apparatus
Urine dipstick protein

Haemoglobin test

12
88

Iron tablets
76

Folic acid tablets
64

Tetanus toxoid vaccine
0

100

Percentage availability (%)

Step 4. Calculate the service-specific domain scores
Once the mean availability of each tracer item has been obtained, they can be aggregated to produce servicespecific domain scores. There are four domains for each specific service: staff and training, equipment,
diagnostics, and medicines and commodities. For each domain, sum the means for the items contained in the
domain, then divide the domain sums by the total number of items in the domain, and multiply by 100.
Table 8.10 shows how the antenatal care domain scores are calculated. This calculation should be repeated for
each of the specific services.

Table 8.10 Antenatal care domain scores
Antenatal care tracer items

Antenatal care domains
Staff and training

Equipment

Guidelines

0.44

Trained staff

0.88

Blood pressure apparatus

Diagnostics

Medicines and commodities

0.80

Haemoglobin test

0.12

Urine protein test

0.12

Iron tablets

0.88

Folic acid tablets

0.76

Tetanus toxoid vaccine
Sum of values
Total number of items
Mean (sum / total)
Domain score (mean *100)

0.64
1.32

0.80

0.24

2.28
3

0.66

0.80

0.12

0.76

1. Sum the means for the items contained in each domain.
Staff and training: 0.44 + 0.88 = 1.32
Equipment: 0.80 = 0.80
Diagnostics: 0.12 + 0.12 = 0.24
Medicines and commodities: 0.88 + 0.76 + 0.64 = 2.28
2. Divide the domain sums by the total number of items in each domain.
Staff and training: 1.32 / 2 = 0.66
Equipment: 0.80 / 1 = 0.80
Diagnostics: 0.24 / 2 = 0.12
Medicines and commodities: 2.28 / 3 = 0.76

115

8. Analysis and output

3. Multiply by 100 to obtain the service-specific domain scores.
Staff and training: 0.66 × 100 = 66
Equipment: 0.80 × 100 = 80
Diagnostics: 0.12 × 100 = 12
Medicines and commodities: 0.76 × 100 = 76
The antenatal care domain scores can be displayed in a graph such as the one in Figure 8.6

Figure 8.6 Antenatal care domain scores
100

Score

76
66

60
40
20

0
Equipment

Medicines and
commodities

Staff and
training

Diagnostics

Domain

Step 5. Calculate the specific-service readiness score
Once the availability of each tracer item has been obtained, they can be aggregated to produce a servicespecific readiness score. This is equal to the sum of the availabilities of all the items, divided by the total
number of items, then multiplied by 100.
The example in Table 8.11 shows how the antenatal care readiness score is calculated.

Table 8.11 Service-specific readiness score for antenatal care
Antenatal care tracer items
Guidelines
Trained staff
Blood pressure apparatus
Haemoglobin test
Urine protein test
Iron tablets
Folic acid tablets
Tetanus toxoid vaccine
Sum of values
Total number of items
Mean (sum / total)
Antenatal care readiness score (mean ×
100)

116

A
Number of facilities that
have the item available
11
22
20
3
3
22
19
16

B
Total number of
facilities
25
25
25
25
25
25
25
25

Sum all the means that were obtained for each item.
0.44 + 0.88 + 0.80 + 0.12 + 0.12 + 0.88 + 0.76 + 0.64 = 4.64

Divide by the total number of items. For antenatal care, the total number of tracer items is 8.
4.64 / 8 = 0.58

Multiply by 100 to obtain the service-specific readiness score.
0.58 × 100 = 58

A/B
0.44
0.88
0.80
0.12
0.12
0.88
0.76
0.64
4.64
8
0.58
58

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
The antenatal care readiness score can be displayed in a graph such as the one in Figure 8.7.

Figure 8.7 Antenatal care readiness score
100

Score

80
60

Overall
Urban
Peri-urban
Rural

40
20
58

er
a
str ll
ic t
Di
1
str
ic
Di t 2
str
ic
Di t 3
str
ic
Di t 4
str
ic
Di t 5
str
ic
Di t 6
str
ic
Di t 7
str
ic
Di t 8
str
Di i c t
str 9
ic t
10

District

117

8. Analysis and output

8.2 Alternative method of
calculations
The examples above have taken sums and means by tracer item (i.e. columns), to arrive at the readiness scores.
It is also possible to compute the readiness scores by taking sums and means by facility (i.e. rows). The
resulting readiness score should be the same as can be seen in Table 8.12.

Table 8.12 Basic amenities domain: mean availability of tracer items by facility
Power

Facility
code

Improved
water
source

Basic amenities tracer items
Adequate Communicatio
sanitation n equipment
facilities

Room
with
privacy

Access to
computer
with
Internet

Mean
availability
of tracer
items

Emergency
transportation

1.00

0.71

0.86

0.71

0.57

0.43

0.00

0.71

0.57

0.43

0.57

0.43

0.14

0.71

0.43

0.71

0.29

0.57

0.71

0.57

0.71

Sum of values

14.43

Total number of facilities

Mean (sum / total)
Basic amenities domain
score (mean × 100)

0.58
58

The advantage of computing means by facility (row) is that it is easier to compute readiness scores by different
units of aggregation (e.g. region, facility type, managing authority, urban/rural) if the mean scores have already
been computed by facility. For example, to compute the readiness scores by region, one simply takes the mean
of the facility scores for all facilities by region. If mean scores are computed by tracer item (column) instead of
by facility, the process is more cumbersome: availabilities for each tracer item would need to be computed for
each region, and then the mean computed to obtain the readiness scores by region.

118

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

8.3

Sample weights

8.3.1 Calculating sample weights
The following information is needed to calculate sample weights:
stratification variables used to partition the sampling frame (i.e. were facilities stratified by region, facility type,
managing authority, etc.);
the number of facilities in the sampling frame (i.e. total number of facilities in the country) by stratum;
the number of facilities in the selected sample by stratum.
To calculate the sample weights, begin by creating a table with columns as shown in Table 8.13.

Table 8.13 Sample weight calculations: table layout
A

Stratification
variable 1

Stratification
variable 2

Stratification
variable 3

Number of
facilities in the
sampling frame

Number of
facilities in the
sample

Weight

Fill in Columns A–E with the information from the survey methodology. For example, if the sampling
methodology was to stratify by region and facility type, the regions would be displayed in Column A and the
facility types would be displayed in Column B. The number of facilities in the sampling frame that correspond to
the specified strata would be given in Column D, and the number of facilities in the sample that correspond to
the specified strata in Column E. Column F, the sampling weight, is the inverse of the probability of selection of
the sample units by stratum, and is calculated as Column D / Column E, or the number of facilities in the
sampling frame divided by the number of facilities in the sample.
Table 8.14 provides example data for a SARA survey implemented in country X. Facilities in the sampling frame
are stratified by region and facility type. There are four regions (coded 1–4) in the country and five facility types

119

8. Analysis and output
(coded 1–5). Column C is empty because there are only two stratification variables, and therefore can be
deleted. If there are four or more stratification variables, additional columns would need to be added after
Column C.

Table 8.14 Sample weight calculations: example data
A

Stratification
variable 1

Stratification variable 2

Stratification
variable 3

Number of facilities
in the sampling
frame
3
45
87
132
5
6
60
68
283
6
4
61
66
179
7
7
29
15
29

Number of facilities
in the sample
3
7
11
16
3
7
9
9
35
4
4
9
8
23
5
5
3
3
4

Weight
(Column D /
Column E)
1.000
6.429
7.909
8.250
1.667
0.857
6.667
7.556
8.086
1.500
1.000
6.778
8.250
7.782
1.400
1.400
9.667
5.000
7.250

3.000

Northern (1)

Southern (2)

Eastern (3)

Western (4)

Hospital (1)
Health centre (2)
Health post (3)
Maternal child health post (4)
Clinic (5)
Hospital (1)
Health centre (2)
Health post (3)
Maternal child health post (4)
Clinic (5)
Hospital (1)
Health centre (2)
Health post (3)
Maternal child health post (4)
Clinic (5)
Hospital (1)
Health centre (2)
Health post (3)
Maternal child health post (4)
Clinic (5)

Once the weights have been calculated, they need to be added to the final data set. Determine the stratum
that each facility belongs to and then assign the appropriate weight. For example, using the weights calculated
in Table 8.14, if a facility is a health centre in the Northern region, it would be assigned a weight of 6.429.
The process for adding weights to the data set will depend on the software chosen. Instructions for adding
weights to the data set using CSPro can be found in the SARA Implementation Guide – Chapter 4 - CSPro.

8.3.2 Applying sample weights
This section provides an example of applying weights to the general service readiness indicators. The same
process is applied for applying weights to both general service readiness indicators and service-specific
indicators. For service-specific indicators however, the denominator is number of facilities offering the service,
not the total number of facilities.
Using the same data set as used in Section 8.1 for basic amenities, this example shows how facility weights can
be applied to the indicator calculations. Having calculated the sample weights, the main difference between
calculating general service availability with and without weights comes in Step 3 with creating WEIGHTED
tracer item scores and in Step 4 where the denominator changes to the number of facilities in the SAMPLE
FRAME. Other than these, the calculations proceed as in Section 8.1.

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Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Step 1. Calculate sample weights for the data set
The first step is to calculate the weights for the data set. For this example, our sampling frame is 100 facilities
and our sample size is 25 facilities. Table 8.15 shows the distribution of the sample and the calculation of
weights.

Table 8.15 Sample distribution and sample weight calculations
Region (region
code)
Northern (1)

Southern (2)

Eastern (3)

Western (4)

Facility type (facility type code)

Number of facilities
in the sampling
frame

Number of facilities
in the sample

1
5
7
9
3
1
3
5
5
3
1
6
9
7
4
1
5
8
10
7
100

1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
25

Weight

1.000
5.000
7.000
4.500
3.000
1.000
3.000
5.000
2.500
3.000
1.000
6.000
9.000
3.500
4.000
1.000
5.000
4.000
5.000
7.000

To calculate the sample weights, divide the number of facilities in the sampling frame by the number of the
facilities in the sample for each region–facility type stratum.
1 / 1 =1.000
5 / 1=5.000
…
Step 2. Create variables for the tracer items
Use the definition of each tracer indicator to create variables. All variables created for tracer items should have
two possible values: 1 if the criteria are met and 0 if the criteria are not met. This calculation is done for each
facility.
This example is based on a sample set of data in which the variables have already been recoded to equal "1" if
certain criteria are met (for example, the facility has a certain piece of equipment), and "0" if the criteria are
not met. Please refer to the detailed definitions of the indicators in the SARA Reference Manual – Chapter4,
for indicator criteria.
Table 8.16 shows the basic amenities data from Section 8.1 but with additional columns: region, facility type
and weight. The weights assigned are those calculated in Table 8.15.

121

8. Analysis and output
Table 8.16 Basic amenities domain: sample data set with weights
Facility
code

Facility
type
code

Region
code

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
4
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
1
2
3
4

Power

Weight

1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
3

1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
5.000
3.000
6.000
5.000
7.000
5.000
9.000
4.000
4.000
4.500
4.500
2.500
2.500
3.500
3.500
5.000
5.000
3.000
3.000
4.000
7.000

1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
0

Basic amenities tracer items
Improv Room
Adequate
Communication
Access to
Emergency
ed
with
sanitation
equipment
computer
transportatio
water
privacy facilities
with Internet n
source
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
1

Step 3. Calculate the WEIGHTED tracer item score
Table 8.17 shows the WEIGHTED tracer item scores for the basic amenities tracer items, which is equal to the
weight (Column 4) multiplied by the item value (either 1 or 0) from Table 8.16.

Table 8.17 Basic amenities domain tracer items weighted
Facilit
y code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

122

Region
code
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
4
1

Facility
type
code
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4

Weight

1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
5.000
3.000
6.000
5.000
7.000
5.000
9.000
4.000
4.000
4.500

Power_W

Improved
water
source_W

1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1
5
0
0
5
0
5
0
0
0
4.5

Basic amenities tracer items: WEIGHTED values
Room
Communicat Access to
Adequate
Emergency
with
ion
computer
sanitation
transportatio
privacy_
equipment_ with
facilities_W
n_W
W
W
Internet_W
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
5
5
0
0
5
3
3
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
5
5
5
0
5
7
7
7
0
7
5
0
0
0
5
9
9
9
0
9
4
4
0
0
4
0
0
4
0
0
4.5
4.5
4.5
0
4.5

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

1
2
2
3
3
4
4
1
2
3
4

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
3

4.500
2.500
2.500
3.500
3.500
5.000
5.000
3.000
3.000
4.000
7.000

0
0
0
0
3.5
0
0
3
3
4
0

4.5
0
2.5
3.5
3.5
0
5
3
3
0
7

4.5
0
2.5
3.5
3.5
5
5
3
3
4
7

4.5
2.5
0
3.5
3.5
0
5
3
3
4
7

4.5
2.5
0
3.5
3.5
5
0
0
3
0
7

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

4.5
2.5
2.5
3.5
0
0
5
3
0
4
7

Step 4. Calculate the WEIGHTED mean availability of each tracer item
The mean availability of each tracer item is equal to the sum of the WEIGHTED tracer item scores divided by
the total number of facilities in the sample frame, multiplied by 100 to get a percentage value.
Table 8.18 shows how the WEIGHTED mean availability of tracer items for basic amenities is calculated.

Table 8.18 Basic amenities domain: weighted mean availability of tracer items
Facilit
y code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Sum
Total
numb
er of
faciliti
es

Region
code
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
4
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
1
2
3
4

Facility
type
code
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
3

Weight

1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
5.000
3.000
6.000
5.000
7.000
5.000
9.000
4.000
4.000
4.500
4.500
2.500
2.500
3.500
3.500
5.000
5.000
3.000
3.000
4.000
7.000

Power_W
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.5
0
0
3
3
4
0
17.5

Improved
water
source_W
1
1
1
1
5
0
0
5
0
5
0
0
0
4.5
4.5
0
2.5
3.5
3.5
0
5
3
3
0
7
55.5

100

Basic amenities tracer items: WEIGHTED values
Room
Communicat Access to
with
Adequate
ion
computer
Emergency
privacy_
sanitation
equipment_ with
transportatio
W
facilities_W W
Internet _W n_W
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
0
5
5
0
0
5
3
3
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
5
5
5
0
5
7
7
7
0
7
5
0
0
0
5
9
9
9
0
9
4
4
0
0
4
0
0
4
0
0
4.5
4.5
4.5
0
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
0
4.5
0
2.5
2.5
0
2.5
2.5
0
0
0
2.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
0
0
5
0
5
0
0
5
5
0
0
5
3
3
0
0
3
3
3
3
0
0
4
4
0
0
4
7
7
7
0
7
87.5
77.5
61.5
3
75.5

100

123

8. Analysis and output

Facilit
y code

Region
code

Facility
type
code

Weight

Mean
(sum
/
total)
%
(mea
n×
100)

Basic amenities tracer items: WEIGHTED values
Room
Communicat Access to
with
Adequate
ion
computer
privacy_
sanitation
equipment_ with
W
facilities_W W
Internet _W

Power_W

Improved
water
source_W

Emergency
transportatio
n_W

0.175

0.555

0.875

0.775

0.615

0.030

0.775

17.5

55.5

87.5

77.5

61.5

3.0

75.5

Sum the total amount of available items in each column.
Power = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3.5 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 17.5
Improved water source = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 4.5 + 4.5 + 2.5 + 3.5 + 3.5 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 7 =55.5
…

Since the total number of facilities in the sampling frame is 100, divide each sum by 100 to obtain a
WEIGHTED mean availability for each item.
Power = 17.5 / 100 = 0.175
Improved water source = 55.5 / 100 =0.555
…

Multiply the WEIGHTED mean availability of each item by 100 in order to produce a percentage value.
Power = 0.175 × 100 = 17.5%
Improved water source = 0.555 × 100 = 55.5%
…

Step 5. Calculate the WEIGHTED general service readiness domain scores
The weighted general service readiness domain scores are equal to the sum of the WEIGHTED means that were
obtained for each tracer item in a domain divided by the total number of items in the domain, then multiplied
by 100.
Table 8.19 shows how the basic amenities WEIGHTED domain score is calculated. This calculation should be
repeated for each of the five general service readiness domains.

Table 8.19 Basic amenities domain score (weighted)
Basic amenities tracer items
Power
Improved water source
Room with privacy
Access to adequate sanitation facilities
Communication equipment
Access to computer with Internet
Emergency transportation
Sum of values
Total number of items
Mean (sum / total)
Weighted basic amenities domain score (mean × 100)

124

Sum

Total
17.5
55.5
87.5
77.5
61.5
3.0
75.5

Sum / Total)
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

0.175
0.555
0.875
0.775
0.615
0.030
0.755
3.780
7
0.54
54

Sum the WEIGHTED means that were obtained for each item (e.g. sum the WEIGHTED means of all the
items in the basic amenities domain).
0.175 + 0.555 + 0.875 + 0.775 + 0.615 + 0.030 + 0.755 = 3.78

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Divide by the total number of items. For basic amenities, there are 7 tracer items.
3.78 / 7 = 0.54

Multiply by 100 to obtain the domain score.
0.54 × 100 = 54

Step 6. Calculate the WEIGHTED general service readiness index
The weighted general service readiness index is equal to the sum of the weighted domain scores divided by the
number of domains.
The example in Table 8.20 shows how the WEIGHTED general service readiness index is calculated. Once the
WEIGHTED general service readiness domain scores have been calculated for all five domains, they can be
aggregated to produce a general service readiness index.

Table 8.20 General service readiness index (weighted)
General service domains (weighted)

Domain scores

Basic amenities

Basic equipment

Standard precautions for infection prevention

Diagnostic capacity

Essential medicines

Sum of domain scores
Total number of domains
General service readiness index (sum of domain scores / total number of domains)

Sum the five WEIGHTED general service readiness domain scores
54 + 75 + 53 + 12 + 38 = 232

Divide the sum by the total number of domains to get the WEIGHTED general service readiness index
232 / 5 = 46

232
5
46

125

8. Analysis and output

8.4

Importing data to the
SARA analysis tool

The SARA analysis tool has been developed to quickly produced, in an automated manner, SARA standard
results including tables and graphs on the indicators.
Prior to using the tool, the SARA indicators should have been generated using the Batch edit application and
Data export function from the CSPro (Chapter 7 – Data cleaning and processing).
Step 1: Opening the exported data file into Excel
To open this file using Microsoft Excel, start Microsoft Excel and open a blank workbook. Then click on File ->
Open -> and browse to where the SARA_Indicators_Export.txt file is saved. Make sure that all files is selected
so that the txt file will show in the browse window. Select the SARA_Indicators_Export.txt file and click on
Open.
The text import window will open. Make the following selections:
• Step 1: File type- select Delimited; check box- My data has headers;
• Step 2: Delimiters- make sure only Tab box is checked;
• Step 3: Column data format- select General. Then click on Finish.
The txt file is now open in Microsoft Excel. Click on File -> Save as and change the save as type to Excel
Workbook. The file is now saved as an XLS file.
When you open the XLS file, the following column headers should be present in the order specified in the table
below (from left to right in the XLS file). If this is not the case, please edit the XLS file until it matches this
structure.
*Please read this table starting at the top of column one, read down column one and when you reach the
end, please go to the top of column two. Continue in this fashion for the eight columns. You can also open
the SARA excel generic tool to see the column headings in the appropriate order.
Column 1

Q001
Q002
QDAY
QMONTH
QYEAR
QINTERVIEWER
Q003
Q004
Q005
Q006
Q007
Q007_A
Q008
Q008_A
Q009
Q010
Q011
Q012
Q013_A
Q013_B
Q013_C
Q014_A
Q014_B
Q014_C
INS_Q015

126

Column 2
DO4
DO4_ALL
M1
M56
M33
M2
M71
M59
M5
M53
M94
M72
M10
M95
M51
M50
M11
M32
M38
M13
M14
M36
DO5
DO5_ALL
IN5

Column 3
M20
M39
M40
DO9
DO10
DO11
DO12
IN7
IN7_ALL
S9
S9_01
S9_02
S9_03
S9_04
S9_05
S9_06
S9_07
S9_08
T6
T7
I8
E7
E8
E9
E10

Column 4
S10_02
S10_03
S10_04
S10_05
S10_06
T8
T9
E14
E15
I21
I22
E39
E40
E41
E42
M28
M29
M30
M31
M93
M92
DO16
DO17
DO18
IN9

Column 5
T16
T17
DO23
DO77
DO24
IN11
IN11_ALL
M69
M70
M73
M74
M75
M76
M77
M78
M79
M106
M107
DO70
M141
M80
M81
M82
M83
DO71

Column 6
T59
D35
D34
D36
D36_A
D36_B
M37_A
M37_B
M136
M138
M139
M140
S16
S16_01
S16_02
S16_03
S16_04
S16_05
S16_06
S16_07
S16_08
S16_09
S16_10
T22
T23

Column 7
M44
DO36
DO37
DO38
IN15
IN15_ALL
S19
S19_01
S19_02
T35
T36
D15
D16
D17
D16_D17
D18
D19
M45
DO39
DO40
DO41
IN16
IN16_ALL
S20
S20_01

Column 8
IN19
IN19_ALL
S23
T45
T46
E45
M54
M55
M57
DO53
DO54
DO55
IN20
IN20_ALL
S24
T47
T48
E19
E20
M60
M61
DO56
DO57
DO58
IN21

Column 9
DO68
DO69
IN24
IN24_ALL
M135
M114
M116
M118
M119
M120
M121
M122
M123
M124
M125
M126
M127
M128
M129
M130
M131
M132
M133
M134
S28

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Q015
Q016_A
Q016_B
STRATUM_1
STRATUM_2
STRATUM_3
STRATUM_4
WEIGHT
I1
I2
I3
I4
I5
I6
I7
DO1
DO1_ALL
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
E6
DO2
DO2_ALL
I9
I10
I11
I12
I13
I14
I15
I16
T1
DO3
DO3_ALL
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D9
D11

S7
S7_01
S7_02
S7_03
S7_04
S7_05
S7_06
S7_07
S7_08
S7_09
S7_10
S7_11
S7_12
T2
T3
M15
M16
M17
DO6
DO7
DO8
IN6
IN6_ALL
M96
M97
M98
M99
M100
M101
M102
M103
M104
M105
S8
S8_01
S8_02
S8_03
S8_04
S8_05
S8_06
T4
T5
M18
M19

E11
E12
E37
E13
I20
M21
M22
M23
M24
M26
M27
DO13
DO14
DO15
IN8
IN8_ALL
S26_01
S26_02
S26_03
T51
T52
T53
T54
E29
E30
D21
D22
M66
M67
M89
M62
M87
M86
M84
M85
M64
DO62
DO63
DO64
DO65
IN23
IN23_ALL
S10
S10_01

IN9_ALL
M28_A
M29_A
M30_A
M31_A
M93_A
M92_A
S11
S11_01
S11_02
S11_03
S11_04
S11_05
S11_06
S11_07
S11_08
T10
T11
T12
T13
E38
E16
E17
D10
M7
M12
M34
M35
DO19
DO20
DO21
DO22
IN10
IN10_ALL
S12
S12_01
S12_02
S12_03
S12_04
S12_06
S12_07
S12_09
T14
T15

M108
M109
M110
M111
E43
M99_A
M100_A
M101_A
M102_A
M103_A
M104_A
M22_A
M74_A
M24_A
M72_A
M72_B
M72_C
M80_A
M5_A
M78_A
M78_B
M111_A
M33_A
M32_A
M36_A
M36_B
S15
S15_01
S15_02
S15_05
S15_06
S15_07
S15_03
S15_04
T18
T19
T20
T21
M37
DO26
DO27
DO28
IN12
IN12_ALL

T24
T25
T26
T27
T28
T29
D8
D13
M41
DO29
DO30
DO31
IN13
IN13_ALL
S17
T30
T31
I23
M91
DO32
DO33
DO34
DO35
IN14
IN14_ALL
S18
S18_01
S18_02
S18_03
S18_04
S18_05
S18_06
S18_07
S18_08
S18_09
S18_10
S18_11
S18_12
T32
T33
T34
D14
M42
M43

S20_02
S20_03
S20_04
S20_05
S20_06
S20_07
T37
T38
T39
T40
I24
D7
M46
M47
M48
DO42
DO43
DO44
DO45
IN17
IN17_ALL
S21
S21_01
S21_02
T41
T42
M49
M6
DO46
DO47
DO48
IN18
IN18_ALL
S22
T43
T44
E18
D20
M52
M115
DO49
DO50
DO51
DO52

IN21_ALL
S29
T60
T61
E44
D37
DO78
DO79
DO80
IN26
IN26_ALL
S25
S25_01
S25_02
S25_03
S25_04
S25_05
S25_06
S25_07
S25_08
S25_09
T49
T50
E21
E22
E23
E24
E25
E26
E27
E28
M63
M65
DO59
DO60
DO61
IN22
IN22_ALL
S27
T55
T56
E31
DO66
DO67

S28_01
S28_02
S28_03
S28_04
S28_05
S28_06
S28_07
S28_08
S28_09
S28_10
S28_11
S28_12
S28_13
S28_14
S28_15
S28_16
S28_17
S28_18
S28_19
T57
T58
E32
M25
M88
M90
DO72
DO73
DO74
IN25
IN25_ALL
D24
D25
D21_D22
D23
D29
D30
D31
D32
D33
DO75
E33
E34
E35
E36
DO76

Step 2: Copy/paste data into the excel tool

1. Once the data is in the proper order, select all the rows that have data in your exported XLS data file (do
not include the header row), copy the rows, open the SARA generic analysis tool, and paste the rows into
the sheet called indicators starting in row 2 (beneath the headers).

2. Once the data has been pasted, the remaining worksheets will be automatically updated with the new
data. From there, adjustments will need to be made only on the graphs in order to put the items in
descending order.

127

8. Analysis and output

8.5

Data visualization

The visual display of quantitative information in the form of charts, graphs and maps is referred to as the
analytical output. In contrast to tables, which are an excellent tool for looking up and comparing individual
values, but by themselves do not do a good job of summarizing large amounts of data; charts, graphs and maps
display the relationships among multiple quantitative values by giving them shape. They present data in visual
form, and often make data easier to understand since readers can visualize overall trends or patterns that
might otherwise be difficult to identify.
This section discusses the fundamental concepts of charts and graphs, and survey reports, as well as methods
for disseminating analytical outputs.

8.5.1 Creating graphs
Graphs display relative sizes of numerical quantities, and present a straightforward way of comparing numbers.
They can be used to clearly illustrate many different types of data. Graphs can display nominal comparisons,
changes over time, categorical rankings, percentages and ratios, deviations, distributions or correlations. The
output from the SARA questionnaire is primarily used for nominal comparison, ranking, and percentages or
ratios. Nominal comparison and ranking refer to the subdivision and organization of data so that categories can
be easily seen and compared with each other. For example, nominal comparison and ranking makes it easy to
identify that a particular type of health facility has more equipment in one district than in another. The SARA
output is also used to communicate percentages. For example, a graph can visually display that a certain
percentage of facilities have a particular type of equipment available. Regardless of the type of data being
displayed, there are several characteristics that every graph should include.
Title
A descriptive title should explain what kind of data is being displayed. A proper title communicates the theme,
location and time period. The title should be concise, but should leave the reader knowing exactly what is being
shown.
Labels
Both x- and y-axes should be labelled and a legend should be included when applicable. If including a legend, it
should usually be placed outside of the plot area. Placing it inside the plot area may save space, but will often
clutter the chart, detract from its purpose and may cross or interrupt the data being presented.
Scales
Every chart or graph should have clearly labelled x- and y-axis unit values. The values should reflect the data
accurately. In most cases, it is appropriate for the scale to begin at zero. If a scale does not begin at zero, this
fact should be clearly highlighted and explained.
Simplicity
Each chart or graph should be designed to clearly communicate its purpose while avoiding unnecessary
flourishes. For example, flat, two dimensional charts are typically better than three dimensional charts. Three
dimensional charts are often difficult to interpret because readers must study the various dimensions in
relation to the axes. In a three dimensional bar or column chart, it is often unclear which plane or line of the
bar relates to the scale. Similarly, gridlines are optional, but when they are used they should be displayed with
a light, non-distracting colour and line weight. Sufficient blank space should be given to enable the reader to
quickly focus on the intended information.

128

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Bars, columns, lines, symbols, etc.
Bars, columns, lines and symbols represent the data derived from the data table or directly from the data set.
Bars and columns should not be touching unless the chart is a histogram, which is intended to convey the
continuous nature of the data. If the data are discrete (i.e. represent separate groups or attributes, such as
data organized by district or by facility type), the bars should not touch each other. If symbols are used, such as
in a scatter plot, they should be of sufficient size to be clearly distinguishable from each other. Value can also
be added to a graph by re-ordering the bars to display data by different variables (e.g. region, managing
authority, type of facility). This can be done by clustering bars that are similar (e.g. region) and then further
categorizing the bars within each region by another variable (e.g. rural versus urban). For example, a graph
with bars representing the different regions in a country could be reordered in ascending or descending order
by the type of managing authority. Within the different types of managing authorities the bars could be further
ordered by the type of facility.
Number of observations
It is usually helpful to include the total number of observations being displayed. If a sample is being
represented, the chart should clearly state that somewhere. This will give the reader a better idea of what the
chart represents, and will help establish trust between the reader and the creator. Building trust is essential if
the chart is to effectively convey a message, idea or concept.

8.5.2 Graphs for SARA indicators
The Section 8.1 provided examples for generating SARA indicators and their associated tables. From these
tables, graphs can be generated to help visualize the data and give a visual indication of what the data tells us.
This section provides example graphs for SARA indicators that can be used as a template when creating graphs
from SARA data.
The types of graphs produced will largely depend on the methodology used to collect the data as well as the
objectives of the assessment. For example, if a census is undertaken, disaggregation can be by district,
managing authority, facility type or any other variable of interest. However, if a sample survey is undertaken,
there are limitations to the variables by which data can be disaggregated depending on the sampling design.
Each graph should convey a message on a key result in the data. In order to identify the key results and
efficiently display them, several graphs may need to be made, each one more refined than the last until the
message is clear and all relevant information is displayed. First identify the key results by looking at a table or
initial graph of the basic indicator data. Then, determine the best way to display the result so that the key
message is easily communicated. Finally, decide what additional information would be valuable for highlighting
this key result. For the final report, only the most relevant and informative graphs should be included. Some
suggestions for creating graphs that highlight the key message are as follows (note that not all suggestions will
be relevant for all graphs).
• Include a bar for the overall results in addition to any disaggregation of data.
• Disaggregate data by different variables, such as district, facility type or managing authority as
applicable. Disaggregating the data will help to see if there are differences in the indicator according to
variables of interest. For example, health workforce density may differ between districts, with urban
districts having a higher density than rural districts; this important result would only be seen if the data
for health workforce density are disaggregated.
• Whenever possible, order bar graphs in ascending or descending order. This allows for easy visualization
of trends.
• Order bars by any applicable organizational unit. For example, if each bar represents a district, group the
districts by urban, peri-urban and rural districts, then arrange in ascending or descending order within
these groupings. This type of grouping can also apply to indicators such as essential medicines and the
domains for the service-specific indicators.

129

8. Analysis and output
• Where applicable, add a benchmark or target line. This provides a reference point to facilitate
interpretation of the data.
• For graphs where the bars represent an index (a composite of several indicators), the components of the
index can be displayed with symbols superimposed on the bar. This provides additional information on
how the individual components are affecting the overall index score.
• When possible, add information on trends over time (if data are available). Looking at trends allows for
analysis and comparison of progress over time.
Service availability indicators
This section provides examples of graphs used for SARA service availability indicators. These graphs are specific
to the data set from which they were created and should not be replicated identically. For additional examples,
please refer to the Sierra Leone services availability and readiness 2011 summary report or the Zambia services
availability and readiness 2010 summary report, which are available at:
http://apps.who.int/healthinfo/systems/datacatalog/index.php/catalog.

Health facility density

INDICATOR

Health facility density (number of health facilities per 10 000 population) is primarily an indicator of outpatient
access. This measure provides a good understanding of the health system resources available in a country.
While there is no gold standard on assessing the sufficiency of health facilities in a country, a low density
usually suggests inadequate capacity to meet a minimum coverage of essential services.
Figure 10.1 shows an example of a graph displaying health facility density by district, type of district and
managing authority.

KEY PARAMETERS
1.

Facility density by geographical distribution.

Facility density relative to a benchmark or target.

Plot the benchmark value. In Figure 8.8, this is the horizontal line at two health facilities per 10 000
population.

Facility density in urban, peri-urban and rural districts.

Group the districts by milieu, then order by descending facility density.

Composition of facilities by managing authority.

130

Plot facility density overall for all districts and separately for each district.

Disaggregate each bar by public/private/other.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide

Health facilities per 10 000 pop

Figure 8.8 Density of health facilities per 10 000 population, by district
2.5

2.3

2.2

2
1.5

1.5

1.6

1.5
1.2

1.1

Target
1.4

1.1

Overall
0.9

Urban
Peri-urban
Rural

0.5

e
Di rall
str
ic
Di t 1
str
ic
Di t 2
str
ic
Di t 3
str
ic
Di t 4
str
ic
Di t 5
str
ic
Di t 6
str
ic
Di t 7
str
ic
Di t 8
str
i
Di ct
str 9
ic t
10

District

Inpatient bed density

INDICATOR

The number of inpatient beds per 10 000 population is an indicator that provides information on the number of
inpatient beds available relative to the total population for a defined geographical area. This indicator is useful
for measuring the supply of health services available. In this measure, paediatric beds (cots) are included, but
maternity beds are excluded.
Figure 8.9 shows an example of a graph displaying the density of inpatient beds by district and type of district.

KEY PARAMETERS
1.

Inpatient bed density by geographical distribution.

Plot inpatient bed density overall for all districts and separately for each district.

Inpatient bed density relative to a benchmark or target.

Plot the benchmark value. In Figure 8.9, this is the horizontal line at 25 inpatient beds per 10 000.

Inpatient bed density in urban, peri-urban and rural districts.

Group the districts by milieu, then order by descending inpatient bed density.

Figure 8.9 Density of inpatient beds per 10 000 population, by district
24

25
20

20
16

Target
19

Overall
10

Urban
Peri-urban
Rural

er
a
str ll
ic t
Di
str 1
ic
Di t 2
str
ic
Di t 3
str
ic
Di t 4
str
ic
Di t 5
str
ic
Di t 6
str
ic
Di t 7
str
ic
Di t 8
str
Di ict
str 9
ic t
10

Inpatient beds per 10 000 pop

District

131

8. Analysis and output
Maternity bed density

INDICATOR

The number of maternity beds per 1000 pregnant women informs stakeholders about the availability of beds
specifically for pregnant woman seeking care during pregnancy. Note that maternity beds differ from delivery
beds and are not used for childbirth, but are used before and after delivery. This indicator also provides
information on access to delivery services because often the accessibility of delivery care services increases
where there are more maternity beds available.
Figure 10.3 shows an example of a graph displaying the density of maternity beds by district.

KEY PARAMETERS
1.

Maternity bed density by geographical distribution.

Plot maternity bed density overall for all districts and separately for each district.
Maternity bed density relative to a benchmark or target.

Plot the benchmark value. In Figure 8.10, this is the horizontal line at 10 maternity beds per 1000
pregnant women.

Figure 8.10 Density of maternity beds per 1000 pregnant women, by district
Maternity beds per 1 000 pregnant
women

12
10
8

Target

8
6

6
4

Overall
4

Urban
3

Peri-urban
2

Rural

er
a
str ll
ic t
Di
str 1
ic
Di t 2
str
ic
Di t 3
str
ic
Di t 4
str
ic
Di t 5
str
ic
Di t 6
str
ic
Di t 7
str
ic
Di t 8
str
Di ict
str 9
ic t
10

District

Health services infrastructure index

INDEX

The health services infrastructure index consists of the average score of the three indicators: facility density,
inpatient bed density and maternity bed density.
Figure 8.11 shows an example of a graph displaying the health services infrastructure index by district.

KEY PARAMETERS
1.

Health services infrastructure index by geographical distribution.

Plot health services infrastructure index overall for all districts and separately for each district
represented as a solid bar.
Breakdown of index elements.

132

Plot the individual indicator elements of the index as symbols in order to see how the elements
contribute to the overall index score.

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Figure 8.11 Health services infrastructure index score and component scores, overall and by district
100

Health
infrastructure
index
Facility density

Score

80
60

Inpatient beds

Maternity beds

t1
0

str
ic

District

str
ic
Di

str
ic

str
ic
Di

str
ic

er
all
Ov

str
ic

Service availability index

INDEX

The service availability index is the unweighted average of the three indices: health infrastructure, health
workforce and service utilization. The service availability index serves as an overall composite index to
summarize all of the service availability indicators.
Figure 10.5 shows an example of a graph displaying the service availability index by district and type of district.

KEY PARAMETERS
1.

Service availability index by geographical distribution.

Plot service availability index overall for all districts and separately for each district represented as a
solid bar.
Breakdown of index elements.

Plot the individual indicator elements of the index as symbols in order to see how the elements
contribute to the overall index score.

Figure 8.12 General service availability index score and component scores, overall and by district
100
80

Score

Overall
Urban

Peri-urban
Rural

Health infrastructure
Health workforce

t1
0

Service utilization

str
ic

t7
Di

District

str
ic

t5
Di

str
ic

er
all

133

8. Analysis and output
General service readiness indicators
This section provides examples of graphs used for two of the five SARA general service readiness indicators.
These graphs are specific to the data set from which they were created and should not be replicated identically.
For additional examples please refer to the Sierra Leone services availability and readiness 2011 summary
report or the Zambia services availability and readiness 2010 summary report, which are available at:
http://apps.who.int/healthinfo/systems/datacatalog/index.php/catalog.

Diagnostic capacity
The diagnostic capacity domain consists of a set of eight tracer items, and the domain score is the mean
percentage of items available for each facility. Elements include facilities with capacity to conduct tests on-site
and with appropriate equipment for: haemoglobin, blood glucose, malaria diagnostic capacity, urine dipstickprotein, urine dipstick- glucose, HIV diagnostic capacity, syphilis RDT and urine pregnancy test.
Figure 8.13 shows the percentage of facilities that have all eight tracer items present, by district and type of
district.

Figure 8.13 Percentage of facilities with all 8 diagnostic tests, overall and by district

Percentage of facilities

100
80
60

Overall
Urban

40
20

19
8

Peri-urban
6

Rural

er
a
str ll
ic t
Di
1
str
ic t
Di
str 2
ic
Di t 3
str
ic
Di t 4
str
ic
Di t 5
str
ic
Di t 6
str
ic
Di t 7
str
ic
Di t 8
str
Di ict
str 9
ic t
10

District

Figure 8.14 shows the mean availability of the diagnostic tests by district and type of district.

Figure 8.14 Diagnostic capacity domain score: Mean availability of diagnostic tests, overall and by
district

Figure 8.15 shows the diagnostic capacity domain readiness score as solid bars and the indicator elements that
make up the domain score as symbols.
The general service readiness graphs should be created in a way that clearly shows the capacity in a country.
For diagnostics, ideally all facilities would be able to offer the 8 tracer diagnostic tests (i.e. all the bars in Figure

134

Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
8.13 would be 100). However, when this is not the actual situation, Figures 8.14 and 8.15 help to illustrate the
current state of diagnostic capacity.

Figure 8.15 Diagnostic capacity domain score and tracer items, overall and by district

Essential medicines
The essential medicines domain consists of 20 essential medicines, and the domain score is the mean
percentage of essential medicines available for each facility. The standard 20 essential medicines are:
amitriptyline tablet, amlodipine tablet or alternative calcium channel blocker, amoxicillin (syrup/suspension or
dispersible tablets AND tablet), ampicillin powder for injection, beclometasone inhaler, ceftriaxone injection,
enalapril tablet or alternative ACE inhibitor, fluoxetine tablet, gentamicin injection, glibenclamide tablet,
ibuprofen tablet, insulin regular injection, metformin tablet, omeprazole tablet or alternative, oral rehydration
solution, paracetamol tablet, salbutamol inhaler, simvastatin tablet or other statin and zinc sulphate (tablet or
syrup).
Figure 8.16 shows the percentage of facilities that have all 20 essential medicines present by district and type
of district.

Figure 8.16 Percentage of facilities with all 20 essential medicines, overall and by district

80
60

Overall
Urban

Peri-urban

20
2

Rural
0

er
a
str ll
ic
Di t 1
str
ic
Di t 2
str
ic
Di t 3
str
ic
Di t 4
str
ic
Di t 5
str
ic
Di t 6
str
ic
Di t 7
str
ic
Di t 8
str
Di ict
str 9
ic t
10

Percentage of facilities

100

District

135

8. Analysis and output
Figure 8.17 shows the mean availability of the essential medicines by district and type of district.

Figure 8.17 Essential medicines domain score: Mean availability of 20 essential medicines, overall
and by district

Figure 8.18 shows the essential medicines domain readiness score as solid bars and the indicator elements that
make up the domain score as symbols.

Figure 8.18 Essential domain score and tracer items, overall and by district

The general service readiness graphs should be created in a way that clearly shows the capacity in a country.
For essential medicines, ideally all facilities would have the 20 tracer medicines (i.e. all the bars in Figure 8.16
would be 100. However, when this is not the actual situation, Figures 8.17 and 8.18 help to illustrate the
current state of essential medicines availability.

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Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Service-specific availability and readiness indicators
This section provides examples of graphs used for SARA service-specific readiness indicators. These graphs are
specific to the data set from which they were created and should not be replicated identically. For additional
examples please refer to the Sierra Leone services availability and readiness 2011 summary report or the
Zambia services availability and readiness 2010 summary report, which are available at:
http://apps.who.int/healthinfo/systems/datacatalog/index.php/catalog.

Service-specific availability
Service-specific availability measures what proportion of facilities are offering services. As an example, Figure
8.19 shows the proportion of facilities offering different maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services.

Figure 8.19 Availability of maternal, newborn and child health services

Services

Child health preventative…

96%

Antenatal care

93%

Child immunization

92%

Basic obstetric care

91%

Family planning

89%

Comprehensive obstetric care

10%
0%

20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Percentage of facilities

Service-specific readiness: comprehensive obstetric care
The SARA indicator for comprehensive obstetric care has four domains and a total of 17 tracer items. These
tracer items include: guidelines on CEmOC, staff trained in CEmOC, staff trained in surgery, staff trained in
anaesthesia, anaesthesia equipment, incubator, blood typing, cross match testing, blood supply sufficiency,
blood supply safety, Lidocaine 5%, Epinephrine (injectable), Halothane (inhalation), Atropine (injectable),
Thiopental (powder), Suxamethonium bromide (powder) and Ketamine (injectable). For the facilities that offer
comprehensive obstetric care, the percentage of facilities with these tracer items available are shown in Figure
8.20. Readiness to provide comprehensive obstetric care is calculated as the mean of the domain scores and is
shown in the last (light grey) bar of the graph. This type of detailed graph is useful to see the details of each
service-specific indicator.

137

8. Analysis and output
Figure 8.20 Availability of tracer items for comprehensive obstetric care at facilities providing the
service

Maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) service readiness can be summarized by showing each service
readiness score as a solid bar and the service-specific domain scores as symbols in order to visualize how the
domain scores contribute to the readiness score (Figure 8.21).

Figure 8.21 Readiness to provide maternal, newborn and child health services

Service-specific readiness: communicable diseases
The SARA indicator for HIV counselling and testing has four domains and a total of five tracer items. These
tracer items include: staff trained in HIV counselling and testing, guidelines on HIV counselling and testing,
room with auditory and visual privacy, HIV diagnostic capacity and male condoms. For facilities that offer HIV
counselling and testing, the percentage of facilities with these tracer items available is displayed in Figure 8.22.
Readiness to provide HIV counselling and testing is calculated as the mean of the domain scores and is shown
in the last (light blue) bar of the graph. This type of detailed graph is useful to see the details of each servicespecific indicator.

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Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
Figure 8.22 Availability of tracer items for HIV counselling and testing at facilities providing the
service
Staff and training

Equipment

Diagnostics

Medicines and commodities

Readiness score
91

Staff trained HIV counseling and testing
65

Tracer items

Guidelines HIV counseling and testing

Room with auditory/visual privary
48

HIV diagnostic capacity

Male condoms
Readiness to provide HIV counseling and testing
services

64
0

100

Percentage availability (%)

HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria service readiness can be summarized by showing each service readiness
score as a solid bar and the service-specific domain scores as symbols in order to visualize how the domain
scores contribute to the readiness score (Figure 8.23).

Figure 8.23 Readiness to provide HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria services
Readiness score

Staff and training

Equipment

Diagnostics

Medicines and commodities

100

Score

80
60

HIV
cou

nse
llin

HIV
car
e
ga
nd

a nd

te s
tin
g

An
t ire
sup

tr o
v

PM
TCT

ir a
l th

e ra
py

Services

Sex

ual

ly t
r an

Ma
la r
ia
sm
it te

d in

Tub

fec

tio
n

er c
u

lo s
is

139

8. Analysis and output

8.6

Survey report

Findings from the SARA survey can be used for different purposes by different stakeholders. The way in which
the survey results are reported depends on the target audience and the survey's objectives. However,
information on many aspects of the survey needs to be included in all reports. All reports should include the
following core information.
• Cover page including the name of the organization that undertook the survey
• Table of contents
• Background and/or Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations and acronyms
• Executive summary
• Introduction
− Survey's objective(s)
− When and where survey was conducted
• Methodology and data collection
−
−
−
−

Selection of survey areas and sectors surveyed
Planning process
Sampling methodology
Data collection, data entry and quality-assurance procedures

• Ethical issues
− Confidentiality
− Potential conflicts of interest
• Results, with national and subnational comparisons
− Service availability
− Service readiness
− Service-specific availability and readiness (e.g. HIV/AIDS; MNCH; noncommunicable diseases)
• Discussion
• Recommendations
• Conclusion
• Annexes (if needed).
In general, reports are written collaboratively and include all the stakeholders who had an active role in
administering the survey, such as programme officers from the MoH, external development partners and
nongovernmental organizations.
There are a number of helpful tips for developing a survey report.
• Policy-makers and key stakeholders may not devote enough time to reading the full report and may only
read the executive summary. More people will read beyond the executive summary if sufficient interest
is created.
• The report should be presented in a straightforward and precise fashion that is understandable to a
moderately-informed reader.

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Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) | Implementation Guide
• Avoid presenting too many numbers and avoid crowding tables or charts, or presenting data too
scientifically. This may make the report unintelligible to the reader; the details can be provided in an
annex, where necessary.
• Avoid overusing abbreviations.
• Table and graphs should be employed to avoid long, overcomplicated narrative descriptions of results.
• The findings must be presented clearly and important results highlighted, with the conclusions and
recommendations clearly presented and logically derived from these findings.
• Make logical inferences based on the results of the survey and take into account the limitations of the
survey methodology. Refer to data from other sources, if available.
• Recommendations should reflect consultation with the survey coordinating group. They should be
realistic, limited and focused on those areas where the greatest impact can be achieved. They should
identify the problem to be addressed and the proposed solution.
• Conclusions and recommendations that do not originate from the findings should not be included.
When a draft report is written, a meeting of the survey coordinating group and key stakeholders (technical
programmes, M&E units, statistical office, policy-makers, partners, etc.) should be held to present the survey
results, discuss their interpretation and develop policy recommendations. The report should be finalized as
soon as possible after this meeting.

8.7

Results dissemination

Dissemination of results is key to the successful implementation of a survey. Development of new data sources
is only useful if data are received in a timely manner by their intended recipients and their strengths, potential
uses and limitations are well understood by the target audience.
The purpose of dissemination is to ensure that the right people receive survey results in a format that is
targeted specifically to their needs. Target audiences for SARA are usually decision-makers at national, district
and facility levels.
Conducting the survey, along with analysing and interpreting the data, are important, but the final use of the
results will depend on the effectiveness of final reporting and dissemination. Without these steps, the survey
would fall short of achieving its objectives. Any of the following activities may be undertaken in order to
disseminate SARA results:
• national and/or regional dissemination workshops;
• an annual health sector review;
• web dissemination e.g. MoH web site, country observatory, etc.
• publication of reports, presentations and brochures.

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