Table 3 Factors affecting institutionalisation

Existence of an institutional framework (the unit’s mandate from government)

• Environment and governance structure: Creating an official decree or mandate to ensure that the unit operates under favourable conditions. Institutional arrangements and coordination within and between internal and external stakeholders is also necessary

• Aspects of unit strategy and features: These include the nature of the design process and the start-up, particular whether local stakeholders were involved in the unit’s establishment, whether the unit meets stakeholders’ needs and fits the environment, whether there is evaluation and how long the unit will remain in place

• Managerial factors: These include whether there is a clear policy and unit champion strategically placed to support ongoing implementation, whether the unit’s policy is consistent with the mission and operating procedures of the Ministry of Health, and whether the government is likely to support the unit after any pilot stage

• Workplace environment factors: These include the stability and favourability of external socioeconomic and political factors, such as legislation and policy positions affecting the unit (for example, the recent crisis in Burkina Faso affected many health units and their work plans)

• Policy implementation factors: These include government and key stakeholders’ views on the level of priority of the unit’s work, and the opportunity cost

Consistent production of data and preparation of reports

• Lack of norms, procedures and functional coordination of the unit

• Lack of strategic and operational plan for short- and long-term work

• Low human resource capacity for data collection and processing

• Weakness and often lack of internet connection at central, regional and provincial level; no functional website and frequent

• Data collection tool not adapted to the unit’s needs

• Lack of indicators and tools for routine data collection

• Lack of processing tools and mechanism for data sharing

• Lack of dissemination of information produced by the unit

Adequate financial, human resources and infrastructure capacity to routinely produce and make use of data in policymaking

• Lack of state budget line to support the unit’s activities and ensure continuation

• Lack of multiple financial sources (donors, public and private) to support activities

• Lack of mid- and long-term planning for resource mobilisation

• Sufficient well-trained staff to support unit activities

• Infrastructure and equipment availability and good internet connection for data production and information-sharing

• Lack of training of local decision-makers, opinion leaders, the media, etc. on how to use information produced by unit for decision-making