STEP

Report results

Credit: WHO / Aphaluck Bhatiasevi

 A. Define the purpose of reporting
and the target audience

B. Select the scope of reporting

C. Define the technical content

STEP
4 D. Decide upon methods of
presenting data

Report results E. Adhere to best practices of

reporting
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

A. Define the purpose of reporting and the target audience

KEY QUESTION
What parameters guide the approach to reporting?
CHECKLIST
o Clarify the goals and objectives of reporting
o Identify the main target audience for whom the report is
prepared
o Determine the skills, prior knowledge, needs, priorities and
interests of the audience
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

A. Define the purpose of reporting and the target audience

KEY QUESTION
What parameters guide the approach to reporting?
CHECKLIST
o Clarify the goals and objectives of reporting
o Identify the main target audience for whom the report is
prepared
o Determine the skills, prior knowledge, needs, priorities and
interests of the audience
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

A. Define the purpose of reporting and the target audience

Example target audiences:

KEY QUESTION
• Researchers
What parameters guide the approach to reporting? • Technical experts
CHECKLIST • Public health practitioners
o Clarify the goals and objectives of reporting • Politicians or policy-makers
o Identify the main target audience for whom the report is • Advocacy groups
prepared • The target population
o Determine the skills, prior knowledge, needs, priorities and
interests of the audience
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

A. Define the purpose of reporting and the target audience

For example:
KEY QUESTION
What parameters guide the approach to reporting? • National policymakers can
integrate equity into goals and
CHECKLIST
targets in a forthcoming
o Clarify the goals and objectives of reporting
national health strategy, so
o Identify the main target audience for whom the report is need an overview of the past
prepared and present state of
o Determine the skills, prior knowledge, needs, priorities and inequality.
interests of the audience
• Programme managers need
an in-depth picture of the
current status of inequality to
inform programme activities
and resource allocation.
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

B. Select the scope of reporting

KEY QUESTION
What aspects of the state of inequality should be
covered by the report?
CHECKLIST
o Determine which data reflect the latest status of inequality
o Assess whether reporting trend over time is feasible
o Assess whether reporting benchmarking is feasible
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

B. Select the scope of reporting

• What is the level of HIV, TB

KEY QUESTION
and malaria indicators across
What aspects of the state of inequality should be population subgroups?
covered by the report?
CHECKLIST • Where are inequalities more
o Determine which data reflect the latest status of inequality pronounced, and where are
o Assess whether reporting trend over time is feasible they less pronounced?
o Assess whether reporting benchmarking is feasible
• How is the monitoring
population performing against
targets and policy priorities?

• What are priority areas for

further action?
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

B. Select the scope of reporting

• Depends on the availability of

KEY QUESTION
data.
What aspects of the state of inequality should be
covered by the report? • Highlight key milestones
CHECKLIST related to HIV, TB and malaria
o Determine which data reflect the latest status of inequality to contextualize the results,
o Assess whether reporting trend over time is feasible where appropriate.
o Assess whether reporting benchmarking is feasible
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

B. Select the scope of reporting

When benchmarking:
KEY QUESTION
What aspects of the state of inequality should be • Note exceptional
covered by the report? circumstances that may
CHECKLIST account for high or low
o Determine which data reflect the latest status of inequality performers.
o Assess whether reporting trend over time is feasible
• Ensure that the data sources
o Assess whether reporting benchmarking is feasible
and analysis methods are
comparable or highlight where
differences exist.
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

B. Select the scope of reporting

Resolution issues: 2 5 10
subgroups subgroups subgroups
A misleading situation that arises
Decile 1
when comparing summary Quintile 1
(poorest)
measures of inequality that are Poorest Decile 2
based on disaggregated data 40% Decile 3
with variable numbers of Quintile 2
subgroups. Decile 4
Decile 5
Quintile 3
Decile 6

Richest Decile 7
Quintile 4
60% Decile 8

Quintile 5 Decile 9
(richest)
Decile 10
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

C. Define the technical content

KEY QUESTION
Which data analysis results will be reported?
CHECKLIST
o Assess data analysis results to characterize patterns in the
data and determine the most salient conclusions
o Interpret and report disaggregated data
o Consider whether simple measures and complex measures
reflect the same conclusions
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

C. Define the technical content

• Keep in mind limitations of the

KEY QUESTION
data sources (Step 2) and
Which data analysis results will be reported? analysis approaches (Step 3)
CHECKLIST that should be considered
o Assess data analysis results to characterize patterns in the when interpreting the results.
data and determine the most salient conclusions
o Interpret and report disaggregated data
o Consider whether simple measures and complex measures
reflect the same conclusions
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

C. Define the technical content

KEY QUESTION
Which data analysis results will be reported?
CHECKLIST
o Assess data analysis results to characterize patterns in the
data and determine the most salient conclusions
o Interpret and report disaggregated data
o Consider whether simple measures and complex measures
reflect the same conclusions
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

C. Define the technical content

• If they reflect the same

KEY QUESTION
conclusions, it is preferable to
Which data analysis results will be reported? report simple measures.
CHECKLIST
o Assess data analysis results to characterize patterns in the • If they do not reflect the same
data and determine the most salient conclusions conclusions, then complex
o Interpret and report disaggregated data measures may be warranted,
if appropriate for the target
o Consider whether simple measures and complex measures
audience.
reflect the same conclusions
• Clearly explain the
interpretation of summary
measures.
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

KEY QUESTION
How will key messages in the data be presented?
CHECKLIST
o Identify the appropriate tools to present the results (e.g.
text, tables, graphs and maps)
o Consider using interactive visualizations and other
technologies
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

• Text: provide background

KEY QUESTION
information and explain
How will key messages in the data be presented? patterns in the data.
CHECKLIST
o Identify the appropriate tools to present the results (e.g. • Tables: present large amounts
text, tables, graphs and maps) of data.
o Consider using interactive visualizations and other
technologies • Maps: show data with a
geographical component.

• Graphs: summarize large

amounts of data visually.
Additional resources
See the link to example country equity profiles in the
‘Additional resources’ section.
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

Horizontal bar chart showing

national average tuberculosis
(TB) prevalence in 20 countries
(TB prevalence surveys, 2011-
2020)

Source: State of inequality: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. WHO, 2021.

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

Vertical bar chart showing

accepting attitudes about HIV
(would buy fresh vegetables
from shopkeeper living with
HIV) in Angola (DHS 2015)

Source: State of inequality: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. WHO, 2021.

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

Horizontal circle plot showing

comprehensive correct
knowledge about AIDS among
females (%) disaggregated by
economic status in 10 countries
in South-East Asia and Western
Pacific (DHS 2014-2017)

Source: State of inequality: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. WHO, 2021.

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

Strip plot showing malaria

prevalence in children aged
under 5 years (according to
rapid diagnostic testing) in 23
countries, by sex, economic
status, education and place of
residence: latest situation
(2011-2020)

Source: State of inequality: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. WHO, 2021.

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

Scatterplot four quadrant view

showing national average of
household insecticide-treated
net (ITN) coverage (x-axis) and
absolute economic-related
inequality (y-axis) in 30 African
countries (DHS and MIS, 2011-
2019)

Source: State of inequality: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. WHO, 2021.

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

Descriptive titles,
including for Clear labelling
instance indicator within the visual
name(s),
inequality
dimension(s), and
time period

Axis labels
including units Footnotes,
detailing
interpretation
instructions and
Data caveats
source(s)
Source: State of inequality: HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. WHO and Global Fund, 2021.
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

KEY QUESTION
How will key messages in the data be presented?
CHECKLIST
o Identify the appropriate tools to present the results (e.g.
text, tables, graphs and maps)
o Consider using interactive visualizations and other
technologies

Additional resources
See the Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT
and HEAT Plus)
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

D. Decide upon methods of presenting data

Include technical notes
Clear titles, to explain data sources,
instructions and indicator metadata, and
explanations help analysis methods
users to understand
what they are seeing

Selection menus
enable users to
customize the visuals

Additional resources Hover-over tooltips can

State of inequality: HIV, be used to provide
tuberculosis and malaria additional information
report interactive visuals about data points
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

E. Adhere to best practices of reporting

KEY QUESTION
What does the audience need to know to fully
contextualize the results?
CHECKLIST
o Provide background information about the population,
including relevant HIV, TB and malaria policies,
programmes and practices
o Define the HIV, TB and malaria indicators and inequality
dimensions
o Report the methods, including data sources, data analysis
and interpretation, and discuss pertinent limitations
o Include details to contextualize the results
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

E. Adhere to best practices of reporting

KEY QUESTION
What does the audience need to know to fully
contextualize the results?
CHECKLIST
o Provide background information about the population,
including relevant HIV, TB and malaria policies,
programmes and practices
o Define the HIV, TB and malaria indicators and inequality
dimensions
o Report the methods, including data sources, data analysis
and interpretation, and discuss pertinent limitations
o Include details to contextualize the results
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

E. Adhere to best practices of reporting

KEY QUESTION
What does the audience need to know to fully
contextualize the results?
CHECKLIST
o Provide background information about the population,
including relevant HIV, TB and malaria policies,
programmes and practices
o Define the HIV, TB and malaria indicators and inequality
dimensions
o Report the methods, including data sources, data analysis
and interpretation, and discuss pertinent limitations
o Include details to contextualize the results
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

E. Adhere to best practices of reporting

KEY QUESTION
What does the audience need to know to fully
contextualize the results?
CHECKLIST
o Provide background information about the population,
including relevant HIV, TB and malaria policies,
programmes and practices
o Define the HIV, TB and malaria indicators and inequality
dimensions
o Report the methods, including data sources, data analysis
and interpretation, and discuss pertinent limitations
o Include details to contextualize the results
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Determine scope of monitoring Obtain data Analyze data Report results Knowledge translation

E. Adhere to best practices of reporting

• Report both absolute and

KEY QUESTION relative inequality.
What does the audience need to know to fully
contextualize the results? • Indicate the overall value of the
HIV, TB or malaria indicator in
CHECKLIST
the whole population.
o Provide background information about the population,
including relevant HIV, TB and malaria policies,
• Indicate the population share of
programmes and practices
subgroups.
o Define the HIV, TB and malaria indicators and inequality
dimensions • Flag results that are based on
o Report the methods, including data sources, data analysis low sample sizes (if applicable).
and interpretation, and discuss pertinent limitations
o Include details to contextualize the results • Assess whether to report
statistical significance or
confidence intervals.
 üA. Define the purpose of reporting
and the target audience

üB. Select the scope of reporting

STEP üC. Define the technical content

4 üD. Decide upon methods of

presenting data
Report results
üE. Adhere to best practices of
reporting
 Best practices for Step 4
• Become familiar with the technical abilities and
interests of the target audience and ensure that
the technical content of the report reflects these.

• Reporting should include the most recent data

available on the state of inequality, as well as
time trends to show the change over time.
Benchmarking will allow comparisons against
STEP the standard or best performing results for
continuous improvement.
4
• Use the most straightforward and simple
measures and methods to convey key findings.

Report results • Care should be taken to ensure that the

messaging is accurate and that sufficient
supporting information about the analysis details
is provided, for example, through labels, titles,
footnotes and appendices.