1. Setting targets
Najibullah Safi, MD, MSc. HPM

2. Learning objectives
• Define a target for program planning purpose
• List the components of a target
• Formulate appropriate targets for defined
objectives
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3. Definition
• Target is the expected result of a set of specific
activities
• Targets define measurable amounts of
activities that are required to achieve each
objective during the time span of the plan
• Targets are usually annual
• Targets allow estimation of the efforts and
resources that must be invested for achieving
objectives
• Targets help in tracking progress
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4. Definition cont.
• Every target has two components
– Operational output
– Unit of measurement
• Example – to increase to 40%** the proportion of
primiparous pregnant women who take ITP* in accordance
to the national policy by the year 2014
– A combination of several activities are required to
achieve this objective
* Operational output
** Unit of measurement
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5. Targets and interventions
• Disease management:
– By the end of 2014, the proportion of patients in
the target group who will have been managed
according to the national policy will be 80%
– By the end of 2014, the proportion of referral
institutions with fully functioning malaria
microscopy capabilities will have been increased
by 20 percentage points
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6. Targets and interventions cont.
• Required activities to achieve the selected
targets may include:
– Production and distribution of malaria treatment
guideline
– Training of staff
– Supervision and quality assurance
– Information, education and communication
– Provision of supplies (e.g. lab reagents, medicines)
– Advocacy
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7. Targets and interventions cont.
• Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy
– Objective – reduction of the proportion of low birth
weight infants
• Target – by the end of 2014, the proportion of pregnant
women who took ITP according to the national policy will
have increased by 20 percentage points
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8. Targets and interventions cont.
• Vector control – insecticide treated mosquito
nets
– Objective – reduction of morbidity due to malaria
• Target – by the end of 2014, the proportion of target
persons who are reporting of using insecticide treated
bed nets, will have increased by 40 percentage points
– Required activities – distribution of LLINs, training,
impregnation of untreated nets, IEC, regular assessment of
malaria vectors’ susceptibility to insecticides
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9. Targets and interventions cont.
• Vector control – insecticide residual spraying
– Objectives – reduction of the incidence of PF
malaria to zero
• Target – by the end of 2014, the proportion of target
household sprayed with a suitable residual insecticide
will be 85%
– Required activities – determination of the local effectiveness
of the method, mapping of the region, procurement and
management of insecticides, recruitment of staff, training,
information management, supervision
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10. Targets and interventions cont.
• Epidemic control
– Objective – reduction of mortality due to malaria
epidemics
• Target – by the end of 2014, appropriate vector control
measures will be expanded to control 90% of epidemics
forecasted or detected in the country
– Required activities – identification of areas at risk of malaria
epidemics, active surveillance, development of a functional
epidemic detection and response mechanism, training,
availability of supplies equipment and personal, preventive
interventions to be applied, curative measures for controlling
the epidemics
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11. Learning objectives
• Define a target for program planning purpose
• List the components of a target
• Formulate appropriate targets for defined
objectives
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