Toward a framework and indicators for monitoring Roll Back Malaria.

Roll Back Malaria (RBM) is a new global partnership that aims to halve the malaria burden by the year 2010. A framework and indicators for monitoring the outcomes and impact of RBM have been defined through an extensive consultative process. The framework identifies critical areas for monitoring RBM action relating to 1) the impact on malaria burden, 2) improvements in malaria prevention and treatment, 3) related health sector development, and 4) support for RBM action (including partnerships). A set of RBM indicators has been defined that corresponds to these critical areas but that reflects the major variations in malaria epidemiology and the principal interventions in different parts of the world. Countries would select indicators that are appropriate for their situation. Four global indicators are proposed for use by all countries in which RBM action is under way. Data collection procedures are discussed, and it is indicated how monitoring RBM action can build on existing data-collection mechanisms.