Effect of Strategy Formulation Action on Community–Level HIV Data Utilization in Kiambu County, Kenya

This study investigated the effect of strategy formulation actions on the utilization of community-level HIV data in Kiambu County, Kenya. Employing a mixed-methods design, data was collected from 273 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) using structured questionnaires and eight Sub-County Community Strategy Coordinators (SCCSCs) via interviews. Descriptive analyses revealed that 58.6% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed on stakeholder engagement, while 61.5% affirmed data integration. Inferential results showed a strong positive correlation between strategy formulation and data utilization (r = 0.86, p < 0.001), with strategy formulation explaining 74% of the variance (β = 0.80, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings highlighted barriers, such as symbolic participation and misaligned planning cycles. The study recommends localized planning tools and inclusive stakeholder engagement to enhance data-driven HIV interventions. These findings underscore the critical role of strategy formulation in optimizing HIV data use in decentralized health systems.