Improving African health research capacity

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 670-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey V. Lazarus ◽  
Samantha A. Wallace ◽  
Jerker Liljestrand
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Research Issues

The issue of strengthening local research capacity in Africa is again high on the health and development agenda. The latest initiative comes from the Wellcome Trust. But when it comes to capacity development, one of the chief obstacles that health sectors in the region must confront is the migration of health professionals to countries that offer more lucrative opportunities, like those in western Europe. To combat this ‘‘brain drain’’, already back in 1984, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) created a training programme in which healthcare professionals from Africa conducted the bulk of their research in their own countries. However, the model was only partly successful. Several years ago, we assessed the preconditions for the renewal of Sida support for research and research training activities in the region. Based on our work to develop a critical mass of beneficial research capacity in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, this article suggests several recommendations to both donors and governments that have broad application for general health research issues in the region.

scholarly journals North-South collaboration: On the making of a Center for Comparative Education and Policy Studies at Addis Ababa University

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-52
Author(s):  
Alebachew Kemisso Haybano ◽  
Aimee Haley ◽  
Sverker Lindblad ◽  
Gun-Britt Wärvik
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Comparative Education ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Policy Studies ◽  
Access And Quality ◽  
And Gender

The Ethiopian educational system has made promising advancements since the turn of the century. Despite this progress, education continues to grapple with a myriad of challenges, including differences in educational access and quality, insecure living conditions, and gender inequalities. Research can offer knowledge for tackling these challenges, but often it is knowledge from the global North that dominates, despite its questionable relevance to the global South. Therefore, this study analyses the evolvement of a Center for Comparative Education and Policy Studies, situated in an Ethiopian higher education context and supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and how the Center has contributed to developing knowledge that is relevant to local contexts. An important outcome of the Center was the development of a doctoral program in International and Comparative Education and the knowledge produced in the doctoral theses that emerged. Our inquiry concerns how Southern theory contributes to an increased understanding of the development of the Center and the relevance of the doctoral theses. The findings underscore the importance of expanding Southern knowledge in education and the need for further reflection on the geopolitics of knowledge in research capacity development cooperation.  

No Longer Overlooked and Undervalued? The Evolving Dynamics of Endogenous Educational Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

2006 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD MACLURE
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Educational Research ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Research Networks ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Local Research

Multilateral donors like the World Bank and bilateral agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British Department for International Development exert a great deal of influence in international educational development — particularly in sub-Saharan Africa — both in the programs they fund and the types of research they engage in. In this article, Richard Maclure investigates educational research in Africa and juxtaposes research done by large, exogenous, Western, results-oriented organizations with research performed by smaller, endogenous, local researchers aided by local research networks. Maclure argues convincingly that research that falls into the exogenous "donor-control" paradigm far too often is irrelevant to the African educational policy context and does little to develop local research capacity. The cases of two African research networks — the Educational Research Network of West and Central Africa and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa—are presented as exemplars of organizations that promote an alternative type of research that is endogenous, relevant to policy and the process of policymaking, and controlled by Africans. Maclure concludes with a call for increased support for and development of these types of networks, and for the development of the long-term solution to educational research in Africa — the university.

scholarly journals Developing excellence in biostatistics leadership, training and science in Africa: How the Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) training unites expertise to deliver excellence

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Tobias F. Chirwa ◽  
Zvifadzo Matsena Zingoni ◽  
Pascalia Munyewende ◽  
Samuel O. Manda ◽  
Henry Mwambi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Training ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
European Universities ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Short Courses ◽  
The University ◽  
African Institution

The increase in health research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has generated large amounts of data and led to a high demand for biostatisticians to analyse these data locally and quickly.  Donor-funded initiatives exist to address the dearth in statistical capacity, but few initiatives have been led by African institutions. The Sub-Saharan African Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB) aims to improve biostatistical capacity in Africa according to the needs identified by African institutions, through (collaborative) masters and doctoral training in biostatistics. We describe the SSACAB Consortium, which comprises 11 universities and four research institutions- supported by four European universities. SSACAB builds on existing resources to strengthen biostatistics for health research with a focus on supporting biostatisticians to become research leaders; building a critical mass of biostatisticians, and networking institutions and biostatisticians across SSA.  In 2015 only four institutions had established Masters programmes in biostatistics and SSACAB supported the remaining institutions to develop Masters programmes. In 2019 the University of the Witwatersrand became the first African institution to gain Royal Statistical Society accreditation for a Biostatistics MSc programme. A total of 150 fellows have been awarded scholarships to date of which 123 are Masters fellowships (41 female) of which with 58 have already graduated. Graduates have been employed in African academic (19) and research (15) institutions and 10 have enrolled for PhD studies. A total of 27 (10 female) PhD fellowships have been awarded; 4 of them are due to graduate by 2020. To date, SSACAB Masters and PhD students have published 17 and 31 peer-reviewed articles, respectively. SSACAB has also facilitated well-attended conferences, face-to-face and online short courses. Pooling the limited biostatistics resources in SSA, and combining with co-funding from external partners is an effective strategy for the development and teaching of advanced biostatistics methods, supervision and mentoring of PhD candidates.

scholarly journals CARTA Fellows’ Scientific Contribution to the African Public and Population Health Research Agenda (2011 to 2018)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jude Igumbor ◽  
Edna N Bosire ◽  
Tariro Basera ◽  
Uwizeye Dieudonn ◽  
Funke Fayehun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Priority Areas

Abstract Background: Strengthening research capacity in African academic institutions is crucial to address the ever-increasing health challenges across the continent. Since its inception in 2009, the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) program has focused on strengthening the capacity of nine African universities to produce skilled researchers and scholars able to improve public and population health on the continent. This study describes the alignment between CARTA-supported doctoral topics and publications with the priorities articulated by the African public and population health research agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs). Methods: We reviewed the output from CARTA PhD fellows between 2011 and 2018 to establish the volume and scope of the publications, and the degree to which the research focus coincided with the SDGs, World Bank, and African Development Bank research priority areas. We identified nine key priority areas into which the topics were classified.Results: In total, 140 CARTA fellows published 806 articles in peer-reviewed journals over the 8 years up to 2018. The publications are available in over 6300 online versions and have been cited in over 5500 other publications. About 69% of the published papers addressed the nine African public and population health research agenda and SDG priority areas. Infectious diseases topped the list of publications (26.8%), followed by the health system and policy research (17.6%), maternal and child health (14.7%), sexual and reproductive health (14.3%). About 70% of the articles were published by fellows from or affiliated to universities in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Conclusions and recommendations: Investments by CARTA in supporting doctoral studies provides fellows with sufficient training and skills to publish their research in fields of public and population health. The number of publications is understandably uneven across Africa’s public and population priority areas. However, even while low in number, fellows are nonetheless publishing in areas such as non-communicable disease, health financing, neglected tropical diseases, and environmental health. Violence and injury is perhaps underrepresented. There is need to keep developing research capacity in partner institutions with low research output by training more PhDs in such institutions and by facilitating enabling environments for research.

scholarly journals Advancing collaborations in health research and clinical trials in Sub-Saharan Africa: development and implementation of a biostatistical collaboration module in the Masters in Biostatistics Program at Stellenbosch University

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonya M. Esterhuizen ◽  
Guowei Li ◽  
Taryn Young ◽  
Jie Zeng ◽  
Rhoderick Machekano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Fogarty International Center ◽  
Program Grant

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa continues to carry a high burden of communicable diseases such as TB and HIV and non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. Although investment in research has led to advances in improvements in outcomes, a lot still remains to be done to build research capacity in health. Like many other regions in the world, Sub-Saharan Africa suffers from a critical shortage of biostatisticians and clinical trial methodologists. Methods Funded through a Fogarty Global Health Training Program grant, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University in South Africa established a new Masters Program in Biostatistics which was launched in January 2017. In this paper, we describe the development of a biostatistical and clinical trials collaboration Module, adapted from a similar course offered in the Health Research Methodology program at McMaster University. Discussion Guided by three core principles (experiential learning; multi-/inter-disciplinary approach; and formal mentorship), the Module aims to advance biostatistical collaboration skills of the trainees by facilitating learning in how to systematically apply fundamental statistical and trial methodological knowledge in practice while strengthening some soft skills which are necessary for effective collaborations with other healthcare researchers to solve health problems. We also share some preliminary findings from the first four cohorts that took the Module in January–November 2018 to 2021. We expect that this Module can provide an example of how to improve biostatistical and clinical trial collaborations and accelerate research capacity building in low-resource settings. Funding source Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health.

scholarly journals Ten years of NIHR research training: perceptions of the programmes: a qualitative interview study

BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e046410
Author(s):  
Paula Burkinshaw ◽  
Louise D Bryant ◽  
Caroline Magee ◽  
Peter Thompson ◽  
Lisa Ann Cotterill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
North West ◽  
North East ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Research Careers ◽  
Training Programmes

ObjectivesThe UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) training programmes were created to build and sustain research capacity in healthcare. Following the training programme 10-year strategic review, this qualitative study aimed to deepen understanding of facilitators and barriers for those progressing through NIHR-supported research careers.DesignSemistructured qualitative study.Data collection and analysisTelephone interviews conducted between May and August 2017 were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using Framework Approach.SettingUK National Health Service (NHS) Trusts, university medical schools, District General Hospitals, Integrated Academic Training Programme centres and Research Design Services across the North East, North West, South East and South West of England, London and the Midlands.ParticipantsFourteen women and eight men, of whom, 14 were previous or current NIHR personal awardees (seven doctors and seven allied health professionals (AHPs) or nurses) and eight were managers (staff within clinical or university training-related roles).Results(1) NIHR awards were viewed as transformative for research careers; (2) however, there were perceptions of a biased ‘playing field’. (3) Inequalities were perceived for AHPs and nurses, those outside of established research institutes and those in ‘unfashionable’ specialisms. (4) While support for NIHR awards contributed to a healthy research culture, (5) short-term awards were perceived as a barrier to continuing an independent research career.ConclusionsParticipants perceived many strengths of the NIHR training programmes in terms of developing individual careers and research capacity. Areas in which improvement could enhance the ability to attract, develop and retain researcher were identified. Our findings are of relevance to schemes in other countries, where healthcare researchers experience similar challenges. Further work is needed to overcome barriers and ensure equity of access to, and success within, clinical research training schemes to sustain the research workforce needed to address future global health challenges.

scholarly journals Strengthening the core health research capacity of national health systems helps build country resilience to epidemics: a cross-sectional survey

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 583
Author(s):  
Rony Zachariah ◽  
Dermot Maher ◽  
Abraham Aseffa ◽  
Mahnaz Vahedi ◽  
Pascal Launois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Health System ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sort It ◽  
Training Programmes

Background:  TDR, The Special Programme for Research and Training hosted at the World Health Organization, has long supported Low- and Middle-Income Countries in strengthening research capacity through three training programmes: the Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS), the Clinical Research and Development Fellowship (CRDF), and the Structured Operational Research Training InitiaTive (SORT IT). In the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed whether those trained through these programmes were involved in the COVID-19 response and if so, in which area(s) of the emergency response they were applying their skills. Methods: From the records for each training programme, we identified the individuals who had completed training during the relevant timespan of each programme: 1999-2018 for the CRDF scheme, 2015-2020 for PGTS, and 2009-2019 for SORT-IT. Between March and April 2020, we sent trainees an online questionnaire by e-mail. Results: Out of 1254 trained, 1143 could be contacted and 699 responded to the survey. Of the latter, 411 were involved with the COVID-19 response, of whom 315 (77%) were applying their acquired skills in 85 countries. With some overlap between programmes, 84% of those trained through CRDF were applying their skills in 27 countries, 91% of those trained through PGTS were applying their skills in 19 countries, and through SORT IT, this was 73% in 62 countries.  Skills were being applied in various areas of the emergency response, including: emergency preparedness, situation analysis/surveillance, infection control and clinical management, data generation, mitigating the effect of COVID on the health system, and research.  Depending on the type of training programme, 26-74% were involved in implementation, operational or clinical research. Conclusion: Research training programmes build research capacity and equip health workers with transferable core competencies and skillsets prior to epidemics. This becomes invaluable in building health system resilience at a time of pandemics.

scholarly journals Mental health research in Botswana: a semi-systematic scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 030006052096645
Author(s):  
Philip R. Opondo ◽  
Anthony A. Olashore ◽  
Keneilwe Molebatsi ◽  
Caleb J. Othieno ◽  
James O. Ayugi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Usa

Mental and substance use disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite this, there is a paucity of mental health research in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We carried out a semi-systematic scoping review to determine the extent of mental health research in Botswana. Using a predetermined search strategy, we searched the databases Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCOhost (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL with Full Text, MEDLINE, MEDLINE with Full Text, MLA International Bibliography, Open Dissertations) for articles written in English from inception to June 2020. We identified 58 studies for inclusion. The most researched subject was mental health aspects of HIV/AIDS, followed by research on neurotic and stress-related disorders. Most studies were cross-sectional and the earliest published study was from 1983. The majority of the studies were carried out by researchers affiliated to the University of Botswana, followed by academic institutions in the USA. There seems to be limited mental health research in Botswana, and there is a need to increase research capacity.

scholarly journals Mental health research capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa: the African Mental Health Research Initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dixon Chibanda ◽  
Melanie Abas ◽  
Rosemary Musesengwa ◽  
Chris Merritt ◽  
Katherine Sorsdahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders are a leading, but neglected, cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The treatment gap for MNS is vast with only 10% of people with MNS disorders in low-income countries accessing evidence-based treatments. Reasons for this include low awareness of the burden of MNS disorders and limited evidence to support development, adaptation and implementation of effective and feasible treatments. The overall goal of the African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) is to build an African-led network of MNS researchers in Ethiopia, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe, who are equipped to lead high quality mental health research programs that meet the needs of their countries, and to establish a sustainable career pipeline for these researchers with an emphasis on integrating MNS research into existing programs such as HIV/AIDS. This paper describes the process leading to the development of AMARI's objectives through a theory of change workshop, successes and challenges that have been faced by the consortium in the last 4 years, and the future role that AMARI could play in further building MNS research capacity by brining on board more institutions from low- and middle-income countries with an emphasis on developing an evidence-based training curriculum and a research-driven care service.

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