5.2 Program Evaluation

All PCM programs should conduct process evaluation. Process evaluation provides a descriptive assessment of a program's actual operation and the level of effort taken to reach desired results (that is, what was done, to whom, and how, when, and where). Process evaluation is intended for program improvement. Process evaluation measures may be both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Possible process evaluation measures for a PCM program include the following:

• Demographic information of clients,
• Risk profiles of clients,
• Health status of clients,
• Service referrals offered and followed through,
• Number and length of PCM sessions provided,
• Client satisfaction surveys, and
• Review of quality assurance measures.

Some programs may have the capacity to conduct outcome evaluation, the assessment of the immediate or direct effects of a program on the program participants (for example, the degree to which the program increased knowledge of HIV/AIDS, perceived risk of infection, and/or decreased intent of engaging in risk behaviors related to HIV transmission). Outcome evaluation also assesses the extent to which a program attains its objectives related to intended short- and long-term change for a target population. Agencies interested in conducting outcome evaluation are encouraged to involve program evaluation experts. To date, PCM programs generally have not been required or funded to conduct outcome evaluation.

[Additional information about program evaluation may be found in Chapter 8 of Handbook for HIV Prevention Community Planning, Academy for Educational Development, 1994. State and local health department program managers may also consult "Planning and Evaluating HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs in State and Local Health Departments: A Companion to Program Announcement 300," CDC, Reissued October 1996.]

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