Evaluation of Sightsavers trachoma control project in Kenya

The Issue

Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, accounting for the loss of an estimated 1.3 million disability-adjusted life years. The World Health Organization set a goal of elimination of trachoma by the year 2020, and to that end, recommends the SAFE strategy — Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvements. Sightsavers implemented a Trachoma Control Project with funding from Comic Relief in Marsabit, Kenya in 2011 to scale up SAFE and build state capacity.

Sightsavers commissioned Tropical Health to conduct a final evaluation of the project to assess achievements against objectives set at the outset in 2011.

Our Approach

Tropical Health evaluated the project for relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, scalability and coordination. Quantitative data was collected to assess achievements, while qualitative data provided insights on lessons learned. Tools included a document review, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with project beneficiaries during five days of field visits.

Tropical Health provided a comprehensive report based on both the quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses and provided 12 recommendations for improvements at the project level (regarding coordination with the health care system, for example) and intervention level (regarding surgery tool distribution, for example).

Our Findings

Tropical Health found that targets were met or nearly met for 12 of the 14 measurable indicators with only the target on number of surgeries performed not met (86% achieved).  Efficiency increased over the course of the project, which is well placed to meet its five-year targets, i.e., after Sightsavers implements the final two years of the project (2015-2016), funded by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. The impact of the project was broader than its impact on trachoma – for example, installation of water tanks in 11 schools not only improved hygiene, it also enabled the schools to cook food provided for school lunches by the World Food Programme.