Inputs may be divided into capital and recurrent inputs. The former are often defined as inputs that last for more than one year-e.g., vehicles, equipment, buildings, and other infrastructure. Many surveys collect some data on the characteristics of basic facility infrastructure, such as type of building, source of water and electricity, and availability of a toilet or latrine. Information about the availability and state of repair of means transport (van, car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.) is often collected, both because these may be significant contributors to facility costs, and because the availability of transport serves to reduce access time in emergency cases, permits outreach services, and may also reduce interruptions in supplies. Similarly, on the premise that the absence or non-functioning of a certain piece of equipment has an adverse effect on the ability of the facility to provide effective health services, some surveys collect data on the quantity or availability of medically-related equipment. Sometimes attention is restricted to a limited list, including items such as refrigerator, sterilizing equipment, blood pressure monitors, scales, microscope, thermometer, stethoscope, and beds. However, in other surveys, a more comprehensive list of equipment has been considered, covering, for example, lab equipment and clinical tools.

Recurrent inputs primarily comprise personnel, supplies (drugs, vaccines, other medical supplies, non-medical supplies), and operations and maintenance (primarily for vehicles and buildings). The number and mix of staff are important characteristics of the health facility, having an impact on the range of services that can be provided, the technical competence with which these services are delivered, as well as overall cost. With this in mind, most surveys have collected data on the number of staff in different categories, sometimes with additional information on, qualifications, education and training, and terms of employment.1<sup>3</sup> For the purposes of costing, data on salaries and other benefits are also required. Beyond staffing, many surveys collect information about the availability of "essential" drugs and vaccines. Sometimes other medical and non-medical consumables have also been considered. Information about current availability or the frequency and duration of stock-outs can comprise an important quality indicator. Further quality information can be gleaned from data on drug prescription practices and drug charging. However, for the purposes of costing, data collection must go beyond questions about stocks, prescriptions, and charges, to consider the flow of drugs and other inputs to the facility.

Given the physical nature of inputs, approaches to data collection are not particularly controversial. Basic input data-e.g., on infrastructure characteristics, the availability of certain types of equipment, or the frequency and duration of drug stock-outs-can be gathered through an _interview_ with the facility director, although information reported by facility staff may be inaccurate. _Direct observation_ of inputs may therefore be advisable. This permits verification of what drugs are actually in stock at the time of the interview, as well as an assessment of the state of repair and level of functioning of essential inputs (e.g., temperature of refrigerator). A _record review_ is required if data on the flow of resources to the facility (e.g., number of drug kits received in a six month period) or historical data are required. However, this approach relies on the availability and reliability of records (e.g., stock cards)

> 13 In addition to staff numbers and basic characteristics, some surveys have sought to assess the clinmcal and interpersonal skills of health workers, as well as the perceptions of patients of the process of care. These are clearly important factors for the effectiveness of the care provided, as well as for the propensity for mdividuals to seek care from the respective health care provider. Approaches to collecting these types of data are discussed further below.

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