A situation analysis is an assessment of the current health situation and is fundamental to designing and updating national policies, strategies and plans.

A strong situation analysis is not just a collection of facts describing the epidemiology, demography and health status of the population. Instead, it should be comprehensive, encompassing the full range of current and potential future health issues and their determinants. It should also assess the current situation as compared to the expectations and needs of the country.

Such a situation analysis can then serve as the basis for setting priorities to be addressed in the policy, strategy or plan through the process of a broad, inclusive policy dialogue.

A robust situation analysis might include an assessment of:

• social determinants of health and health needs, including current and projected disease burdens and health challenges
• expectations, including current and projected demand for services as well as social expectations
• health system performance and of performance gaps in responding to needs and expectations
• capacity of the health sector to respond to current and to anticipate future challenges
• health system resources (human, physical, financial, informational) and of resource gaps in responding to needs and expectations
• stake holder positions (including, where appropriate, of external partners).

WHO supports Member States to conduct sound situation analyses and inclusive priority setting processes by, for example, facilitating the bringing together of stakeholders and domestic expertise to build an evidence-based consensus. The comprehensive and inclusive process should vastly improve the resulting policy, strategy or plan.

Situational analysis of the health sector

• As a first critical step a situation analysis and mapping should be conducted to determine the health sector’s existing role vis-à-vis violence against women and girls. This type of assessment is crucial to planning, standardizing quality of care among different types of service providers and in coordinating efforts. Periodic assessments will also help monitor the success of efforts and point to gaps and challenges that should be addressed.

• A comprehensive situational analysis should take place at a variety of levels. At the national and sub-national level, the focus might be on implementation of laws, policies and protocols as well as coordination structures, funding and other resources. At the facility level, the focus might be on institutional policies and protocols as well as the range and quality of services. At the provider level, a situational analysis might investigate knowledge, behaviour and provider practices. At the community level, a situational analysis will investigate the nature and type of violence, help-seeking behaviour, health needs, and perceived accessibility and quality of services.

• The situational analysis can be seen as an intervention