What does summative evaluation aim to assess?

Summative evaluation is focused on assessing the impact or outcomes of a program after it has been fully implemented. This type of evaluation examines the end results of a health initiative to determine its effectiveness and whether it achieved its goals. By looking at the data collected after the program's completion, stakeholders can gain insights into the program's success in terms of health outcomes, behavior changes, or improvements in community health metrics.

In contrast, assessing the design of a health program involves formative evaluation processes, which occur during the development and prior to full implementation. Evaluating financial feasibility pertains to understanding whether the program is economically sustainable, which is also not the focus of summative evaluation. Community engagement may be important for program implementation and success, but it primarily pertains to how stakeholders are involved during the program’s run rather than evaluating its final impact. Thus, summative evaluation specifically targets the outcomes and overall success of a program post-implementation.