LVCT Health Data Analysis of Voluntary Counseling, HIV Testing and AIDS Care Study Consultancy Opportunity

Terms of Reference: Data Analysis of Voluntary counseling, HIV Testing and AIDS Care Study Consultancy
 

LVCT Health is an independent Kenyan non-governmental and non-profit organization. 

LVCT Health provides technical assistance to the government of Kenya and other governments in Africa, civil society and private sector partners in strengthening responses to HIV prevention, care and treatment, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) interventions. 

We seek a highly capable individual to conduct descriptive, exploratory and inferential data analysis of Voluntary counseling, HIV testing and AIDS care in standalone community centers and health facilities Project 2004-2010

Study Background
 

Project Title: Voluntary counseling, HIV testing and AIDS care in standalone community centers and health facilities Project 2004-2010
 

Study Aim: 

Project Goals: To conduct secondary analysis of program data collected from 2004 – 2010 for program evaluation

Project Objectives:
 

a) For training data:

• To write a descriptive report on the trainings conducted from 2004 – 2010 to identify LVCT’s contribution to training of HTC providers; describe developments in training of providers; provide supportive evidence for documentation of developments and trends in the HIV response in Kenya.

b) For HIV testing and counselling ( HTC) data:

• To identify factors associated with HIV seropositivity
• To establish behavior trends and clinical characteristics among clients attending HTC, stratified by relevant demographic characteristics
• To establish factors associated with HIV sero-conversion among previously HIV negative clients attending HTC services
• To identify factors associated partner uptake of HTC

c) For Care and treatment data:

• To describe socio-demographic characteristics of clients attending the care and treatment clinics
• To determine the patterns of and factors associated with the uptake, adherence to and retention in HIV care and ARV medication among HIV infected individuals and couples
• To identify and patterns of disease progression among clients attending care and treatment services
• To describe the toxicities associated with specific antiretroviral drugs and other drug regimens
• To describe the relationship, effect and burden of TB on the management of HIV
• To describe and identify factors associated with the uptake of prevention measures among HIV positive clients and their partners

Sampling Methodology: Subsets of data from each database will be purposively selected for analysis as is appropriate for each question and objective.

This selection of subsets of data may be based on demographic characteristics, geographical spread and other considerations relevant to the objective. 

For example, to determine the factors associated with the uptake, adherence to and retention in HIV care and ARV medication among HIV infected couples, only data for those tested as couples will be selected for analysis.

Expected application of results: 

These project analytic results are expected to:

1. Inform policy, planning and review of curriculums for pre- and in-service training of community and facility based HIV service providers delivering integrated HIV services
2. Provide evidence to facilitate targeted prevention messaging within integrated services and prevention programs
3. Provide evidence for effective HTC approaches for reaching HIV positive clients and couples. Provide evidence to strengthen delivery of care and treatment options with optimal outcomes for patients on different regimens
4. Demonstrate feasibility and effectiveness of the voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) plus model in increasing uptake of care and treatment among HIV positive clients

Purpose of consultancy: The purpose of this consultancy is to do develop a data analysis plan, carry out data cleaning; analysis; interpretation of results; report writing to answer the study objectives and present findings.
 

This assignment requires: culling information across multiple data files; producing a descriptive summary of findings; producing a report that summarizes and analyzes findings of the study.
 

Data Outline

 

Expected results

• Develop together with project team data analysis plan.
• Organise, clean and prepare data for analysis.
• Carry out descriptive and inferential analysis to answer study objectives.
• Prepare and present results report.

Timeframe (dates/days may be revised after presentation of inception report)

Location: This position will be based at LVCT Health HQ offices. Availability for face-to-face meetings and working with study team when required is necessary.

Key competences, technical background, and experience required:

• Advanced university degree in Statistics/Biometry/Biostatistics/Applied statistics/Public Health, Epidemiology or related field, with knowledge of information management, data management and statistical analysis using SPSS and NVIVO.
• At least 5 years of experience in the area of data analysis for biological and social sciences or related field.
• Ability to summarize and analyze large amounts of data, highlight critical findings and draw pertinent conclusions.
• Excellent, clear and concise English writing skills and style. Ability to condense information into sharp, short paragraphs.
• Ability to critically think through and propose a method for summarizing and presenting information for policy makers and programmers.
• Knowledge of health systems is an asset.

Applications should be submitted in soft copy to recruitment@lvcthealth.org or in hard copy, hand delivered to LVCT Health HQ located off Argwings Kodhek Road on or before Monday, 22nd September 2014 indicating: Expression of Interest: Data Analysis of Voluntary counseling, HIV testing and AIDS care Study Consultancy in the subject line or on the envelope.
 

Applications must include: CV of lead consultant, demonstration of previous similar completed assignments, indicative budget and two referees.

Those who do not meet the above criteria need not apply.