Needs assessment belongs to which phase of program planning?

• A. Beginning
• B. Evaluation phase
• C. Midpoint review
• D. End

Answer: (A)

Needs assessment is a planning activity that identifies the health needs, gaps, and priorities of the target population so the program can be designed to address what matters most. Doing it at the start helps define clear objectives, choose appropriate strategies, and allocate resources effectively, while also establishing baselines for later measurement. The evaluation phase, midpoint review, and end phase focus on measuring progress and outcomes after implementation, not on identifying what the program should address initially. This is why needs assessment belongs in the beginning of program planning.