Submission ID 131752
| Issue/Objective | Background Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) is conducted to assess health facility readiness, service delivery, and utilization, and guide evidence-based decision-making across primary health care (PHC) facilities. However, its effectiveness is affected by incomplete documentation and inconsistencies in data collection, which limit the reliability and utility of supervision findings. To address these gaps, ACE, in collaboration with CHAI, implemented the Integrated Verification of ISS (IVISS) to provide independent validation of ISS activities. Objective Assess the quality of Independent supportive Supervision visits in Kano State. Relevance to the conference theme. This study directly aligns with the Sub-theme "From evidence to impact: practical approaches and tools for implementation and accountability" by demonstrating how IVISS translates routine supervision data into actionable insights for health system improvement. By introducing independent verification, geospatial validation, and data triangulation, the approach strengthens accountability mechanisms and improves the credibility of evidence used for decision-making. The findings highlight practical pathways for bridging research to practice, including strengthening documentation systems, enhancing health workforce capacity for data use, and linking verified data to Facility Improvement Plans and resource allocation. As a scalable accountability tool, IVISS supports learning health systems, system-level preparedness, and more efficient use of limited resources. Overall, the study provides a replicable model for converting supervision data into tangible service delivery improvements across primary health care systems. |
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| Methodology/Approach | Methodology The assessment employed the IVISS approach to evaluate 298 purposively selected health facilities across two phases (July and November 2025) in Kano State. Standardized checklists were used to assess ISS visit conduct, data quality, implementation of Facility Improvement Plans (FIPs), and utilization of facility-level funds. Verification methods included geospatial validation of visits, audits of ISS logbooks and service registers, triangulation of reported data with source documents, and qualitative inputs from facility staff. |
| Results | Results showed high geospatial concordance of ISS visits, with 99% in Phase 1 and 89% in Phase 2 conducted within a 50-meter radius of verified facilities, although verification was limited by incomplete documentation, particularly missing ISS logbooks. Data quality showed minimal variation across most domains, with the largest discrepancy in essential medicines and vaccine availability (12%), and moderate variation in infrastructure, health workforce, and clinical guideline adherence. Fewer than 60% of facilities in Phase 1 and less than 30% in Phase 2 had documented FIPs due to document loss and limited awareness, while funds were primarily used for essential medicines. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | ISS in Kano State demonstrates strong coverage and geospatial validity; however, persistent documentation gaps, data inconsistencies, and weak FIP uptake limit its effectiveness for decision-making. Embedding IVISS as a routine accountability tool can strengthen data credibility, support learning health systems, and improve system-level preparedness. Standardizing documentation, building health worker capacity for data use, and linking verified findings to financing and FIP implementation are critical for translating supervision into action. Scalable integration of IVISS within routine PHC systems offers a practical pathway for bridging evidence to impact and strengthening accountability at scale. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Afeez Olajire ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Rilwan Sholanke ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Rashidat Olanrewaju ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Umar Alabira ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Abdulrahman Ibrahim ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Chidera Precious ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Aishat Kadir ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Toluwanimi Adewole ACE Strategy and Consults LTD Victory Ekpin ACE Strategy and Consults LTD |
