Strengthening Noncommunicable Disease Research Capacity and Chronic Disease Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in South Asia: Implementation and Evaluation of the ASCEND Program

This article describes the design, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned from the ASian Collaboration for Excellence in Non-Communicable Disease (ASCEND) program, implemented between 2011 and 2015 in India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. The program involved a blended-delivery model, incorporating online and face-to-face training, mentoring, and supervision of trainees’ research projects. Evaluation data were collected at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Intended outcomes, lessons, and challenges were summarized using a logic model. During the program period, 48 participants were trained over 2 cohorts in June 2011 and 2012. The trainees published 83 peer-reviewed articles between 2011 and 2015. Additionally, 154 presentations were given by trainees at national and international conferences. Underutilization of the online learning management system was an important challenge. Utilizing a combination of intensive face-to-face and online learning and mentoring of early career researchers in low- and middle-income countries has great potential to enhance the research capacity, performance, and outputs.

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Seed Grants to Early Career Investigators in Low- and Middle-income Countries to Build Research Capacity in the Field of Infectious Diseases – Evaluating Grant Uptake and Reach

International Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ijid.2018.04.3631 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 91

Author(s):

Y. Sun ◽

B. Lassmann ◽

A. Galblum ◽

A.H. Holmes ◽

R. Hajjeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Research Capacity ◽

Early Career ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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A scoping review of non-communicable disease research capacity strengthening initiatives in low and middle-income countries

Global Health Research and Policy ◽

10.1186/s41256-019-0123-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tilahun Nigatu Haregu ◽

Allison Byrnes ◽

Kavita Singh ◽

Thirunavukkarasu Sathish ◽

Naanki Pasricha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Communicable Disease ◽

Research Capacity ◽

System Level ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Middle Income ◽

Capacity Strengthening ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Research Capacity Strengthening ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Introduction As the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly developing in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the importance of local research capacity and the role of contextually relevant research in informing policy and practice is of paramount importance. In this regard, initiatives in research capacity strengthening (RCS) are very important. The aim of this study was to review and summarize NCD research capacity strengthening strategies that have been undertaken in LMICs. Methods Using both systematic and other literature search, we identified and reviewed NCD-RCS initiatives that have been implemented in LMICs and reported since 2000. Information was extracted from published papers and websites related to these initiatives using a semi-structured checklist. We extracted information on program design, stakeholders involved, and countries of focus, program duration, targeted researchers, disease focus, skill/capacity areas involved and sources of funding. The extracted information was refined through further review and then underwent a textual narrative synthesis. Results We identified a number of different strategies used by research capacity strengthening programs and in the majority of initiatives, a combination of approaches was utilized. Capacity strengthening and training approaches were variously adapted locally and tailored to fit with the identified needs of the targeted researchers and health professionals. Most initiatives focused on individual level capacity and not system level capacity, although some undoubtedly benefited the research and health systems of LMICs. For most initiatives, mid-term and long-term outcomes were not evaluated. Though these initiatives might have enhanced research capacity in the immediate term, the sustainability of the results in the long-term remains unknown. Conclusion Most of NCD-RCS initiatives in LMICs focused on building individual capacity and only a few focused explicitly on institutional level capacity strengthening. Though many of the initiatives appear to have had promising short-term outcomes, evidence on their long-term impact and sustainability is lacking.

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Non-communicable disease training for public health workers in low- and middle-income countries: lessons learned from a pilot training in Tanzania

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihu090 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 339-347 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Evelyn P. Davila ◽

Zubeda Suleiman ◽

Janneth Mghamba ◽

Italia Rolle ◽

Indu Ahluwalia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Workers ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Pilot Training ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Public Health Workers ◽

Non Communicable Disease ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Strengthening Policy-Relevant Tobacco Research Capacity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons Learned

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/nty117 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 1140-1143 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Carla J Berg ◽

James F Thrasher ◽

Joaquin Barnoya ◽

Joanna E Cohen ◽

Wasim Maziak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Capacity ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Setting up laboratory based antimicrobial resistance surveillance in low- and middle-income countries; lessons learned from Georgia

Clinical Microbiology and Infection ◽

10.1016/j.cmi.2021.05.027 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lile Malania ◽

Inge Wagenaar ◽

Onur Karatuna ◽

Arjana Tambic Andrasevic ◽

David Tsereteli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Experiences and lessons learned from 29 HPV vaccination programs implemented in 19 low and middle-income countries, 2009-2014

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-016-1824-5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Joël Ladner ◽

Marie-Hélène Besson ◽

Etienne Audureau ◽

Mariana Rodrigues ◽

Joseph Saba

Keyword(s):

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Middle Income ◽

Vaccination Programs ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Towards diaspora-driven research capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: results from India and Nepal

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihy076 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 221-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Varshini Varadaraj ◽

Anju Ranjit ◽

Joseph Nwadiuko ◽

Joseph Canner ◽

Marie Diener-West ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Capacity ◽

Middle Income ◽

Capacity Strengthening ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Research Capacity Strengthening ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Looking ahead in the COVID-19 pandemic: emerging lessons learned for sexual and reproductive health services in low- and middle-income countries

Reproductive Health ◽

10.1186/s12978-021-01307-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas ◽

Sanni Yaya

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Service Provision ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Safe Abortion ◽

Middle Income ◽

Health Service Provision ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Published Evidence ◽

Low And Middle Income

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruption to essential health service provision globally, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recognising the criticality of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, we review the actual reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SRH service provision and evidence of adaptations that have been implemented to date. Across LMICs, the available data suggests that there was a reduction in access to SRH services, including family planning (FP) counselling and contraception access, and safe abortion during the early phase of the pandemic, especially when movement restrictions were in place. However, services were quickly restored, or alternatives to service provision (adaptations) were explored in many LMICs. Cases of gender-based violence (GBV) increased, with one in two women reporting that they have or know a woman who has experienced violence since the beginning of the pandemic. As per available evidence, many adaptations that have been implemented to date have been digitised, focused on getting SRH services closer to women. Through the pandemic, several LMIC governments have provided guidelines to support SRH service delivery. In addition, non-governmental organisations working in SRH programming have played significant roles in ensuring SRH services have been sustained by implementing several interventions at different levels of scale and to varying success. Most adaptations have focused on FP, with limited attention placed on GBV. Many adaptations have been implemented based on guidance and best practices and, in many cases, leveraged evidence-based interventions. However, some adaptations appear to have simply been the sensible thing to do. Where evaluations have been carried out, many have highlighted increased outputs and efficiency following the implementation of various adaptations. However, there is limited published evidence on their effectiveness, cost, value for money, acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability. In addition, the pandemic has been viewed as a homogenous event without recognising its troughs and waves or disentangling effects of response measures such as lockdowns from the pandemic itself. As the pandemic continues, neglected SRH services like those targeting GBV need to be urgently scaled up, and those being implemented with any adaptations should be rigorously tested.

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