scholarly journals Bridging the gaps among research, policy and practice in ten low- and middle-income countries: Development and testing of a questionnaire for researchers

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Cameron ◽  
◽  
John N Lavis ◽  
G Emmanuel Guindon ◽  
Tasleem Akhtar ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dani Jennifer Barrington ◽  
Hannah Robinson ◽  
Emily Wilson ◽  
Julie Hennegan

Background: There is growing recognition of the importance of menstruation in achieving health, education, and gender equality for all. New policies in high income countries (HICs) have responded to anecdotal evidence that many struggle to meet their menstrual health needs. Qualitative research has explored lived experiences of menstruating in HICs and can inform intervention approaches. Methods and findings: Primary, qualitative studies capturing experiences of menstruation in HICs were eligible for inclusion. Systematic database and hand searching identified 11485 records. Following screening and quality appraisal using the EPPI-Centre checklist, 104 studies (120 publications) detailing the menstrual experiences of over 3800 individuals across sixteen countries were included. We used the integrated model of menstrual experiences developed from studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a starting framework and deductively and inductively identified antecedents contributing to menstrual experiences; menstrual experiences themselves and impacts of menstrual experiences. Included studies described consistent themes and relationships that fit well with the LMIC integrated model, with modifications to themes and model pathways identified through our analysis. The socio-cultural context heavily shaped menstrual experiences, manifesting in strict behavioural expectations to conceal menstruation and limiting the provision of menstrual materials. Resource limitations contributed to negative experiences, where dissatisfaction with menstrual practices and management environments were expressed along with feelings of disgust if participants felt they failed to manage their menstruation in a discrete, hygienic way. Physical menstrual factors such as pain were commonly associated with negative experiences, with mixed experiences of healthcare reported. Across studies participants described negative impacts of their menstrual experience including increased mental burden and detrimental impacts on participation and personal relationships. Positive experiences were more rarely reported, although relationships between cis-women were sometimes strengthened by shared experiences of menstrual bleeding. Included studies reflected a broad range of disciplines and epistemologies. Many aimed to understand the constructed meanings of menstruation, but few were explicitly designed to inform policy or practice. Few studies focused on socioeconomically disadvantaged groups relevant to new policy efforts.Conclusions: We developed an integrated model of menstrual experience in HICs which can be used to inform research, policy and practice decisions by emphasising the pathways through which positive and negative menstrual experiences manifestReview protocol registration: The review protocol registration is PROSPERO: CRD42019157618.


2010 ◽  
Vol 182 (9) ◽  
pp. E350-E361 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Lavis ◽  
G. E. Guindon ◽  
D. Cameron ◽  
B. Boupha ◽  
M. Dejman ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Theresa C. Norton ◽  
Daniela C. Rodriguez ◽  
Catherine Howell ◽  
Charlene Reynolds ◽  
Sara Willems

Background: Little is known about how knowledge brokers (KBs) operate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to translate evidence for health policy and practice. These intermediaries facilitate relationships between evidence producers and users to address public health issues.<br />Aims and objectives: To increase understanding, a mixed-methods study collected data from KBs who had acted on evidence from the 2015 Global Maternal Newborn Health Conference in Mexico.<br />Methods: Of the 1000 in-person participants, 252 plus 72 online participants (n=324) from 56 countries completed an online survey, and 20 participants from 15 countries were interviewed. Thematic analysis and application of knowledge translation (KT) theory explored factors influencing KB actions leading to evidence uptake. Descriptive statistics of respondent characteristics were used for cross-case comparison.Findings: Results suggest factors supporting the KB role in evidence uptake, which include active relationships with evidence users through embedded KB roles, targeted and tailored evidence communication to fit the context, user receptiveness to evidence from a similar country setting, adaptability in the KB role, and action orientation of KBs.<br />Discussion and conclusions: Initiatives to increase evidence uptake in LMICs should work to establish supportive structures for embedded KT, identify processes for ongoing cross-country learning, and strengthen KBs already showing effectiveness in their roles.<br /><br />key messages<br /><br /><ol><li>Little is known about how knowledge brokers mobilise evidence in low- and middle-income countries.</li><br /><li>A multi-country study of knowledge brokers identified promising practices for evidence uptake.</li><br /><li>Embedded brokers who adapted messaging and evidence to context in active relationships worked well.</li><br /><li>Capacity building should use KB promising practices and facilitate multi-country evidence exchange.</li></ol>


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 69-78
Author(s):  
Ray Shuey ◽  
Lori Mooren ◽  
Mark King

This paper presents aspects of policy and practice observed in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the lessons which can be learned from these and similar initiatives. The role of non-government organisations in capacity building programs and advocacy is identified as a strong foundation for road safety reform. Political will is discussed as a critical component of reform together with the need for a holistic approach to ensure sustainability. The requirement for a strong evidence-base to support evaluation is discussed and the need to ensure strong governance over law enforcement is profiled. Good practice programs are described as well as the importance of harnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of youth in developing and championing initiatives for safer community outcomes. While the lack of resources and financial support may appear as an impediment to some, if viewed as a surmountable challenge, safety outcomes can be achieved. The findings demonstrate that there is a rich environment in LMICs from which to source and undertake key and critical research to stimulate continuous road safety improvement especially in those countries where road trauma remains at a comparatively high level.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255001
Author(s):  
Dani Jennifer Barrington ◽  
Hannah Jayne Robinson ◽  
Emily Wilson ◽  
Julie Hennegan

Background There is growing recognition of the importance of menstruation in achieving health, education, and gender equality for all. New policies in high income countries (HICs) have responded to anecdotal evidence that many struggle to meet their menstrual health needs. Qualitative research has explored lived experiences of menstruating in HICs and can contribute to designing intervention approaches. To inform the growing policy attention to support people who menstruate, here we review and synthesise the existing research. Methods and findings Primary, qualitative studies capturing experiences of menstruation in HICs were eligible for inclusion. Systematic database and hand searching identified 11485 records. Following screening and quality appraisal using the EPPI-Centre checklist, 104 studies (120 publications) detailing the menstrual experiences of over 3800 individuals across sixteen countries were included. We used the integrated model of menstrual experiences developed from studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a starting framework and deductively and inductively identified antecedents contributing to menstrual experiences; menstrual experiences themselves and impacts of menstrual experiences. Included studies described consistent themes and relationships that fit well with the LMIC integrated model, with modifications to themes and model pathways identified through our analysis. The socio-cultural context heavily shaped menstrual experiences, manifesting in strict behavioural expectations to conceal menstruation and limiting the provision of menstrual materials. Resource limitations contributed to negative experiences, where dissatisfaction with menstrual practices and management environments were expressed along with feelings of disgust if participants felt they failed to manage their menstruation in a discrete, hygienic way. Physical menstrual factors such as pain were commonly associated with negative experiences, with mixed experiences of healthcare reported. Across studies participants described negative impacts of their menstrual experience including increased mental burden and detrimental impacts on participation and personal relationships. Positive experiences were more rarely reported, although relationships between cis-women were sometimes strengthened by shared experiences of menstrual bleeding. Included studies reflected a broad range of disciplines and epistemologies. Many aimed to understand the constructed meanings of menstruation, but few were explicitly designed to inform policy or practice. Few studies focused on socioeconomically disadvantaged groups relevant to new policy efforts. Conclusions We developed an integrated model of menstrual experience in HICs which can be used to inform research, policy and practice decisions by emphasising the pathways through which positive and negative menstrual experiences manifest. Review protocol registration The review protocol registration is PROSPERO: CRD42019157618.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-279
Author(s):  
Dheepa Rajan

The three areas of research, policy, and practice seem to work and interact within silos, or independent niches.  Especially for the complex task of reorienting health care and indeed, a health system, towards people-centredness, these niches at both global and country level must be broken down.  Since health policy-making is complex and non-linear, context is crucial for making research for health policies and implementation of health policies (practice) relevant.  The real measure of success is whether the evidence-informed policy has worked and produced results at ground level.  When context is so important, however, evidence (research) is only one piece of the puzzle.  Stakeholder’s views, or simply put, their opinion, is just as decisive.  This paper documents some promising examples in research and practice of bringing together evidence and stakeholder opinion, particularly highlighting a case study on Brazil as well as WHO tools for communities of practice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 137-156
Author(s):  
Promise Nduku ◽  
Nkululeko Tshabalala ◽  
Moshidi Putuka ◽  
Zafeer Ravat ◽  
Laurenz Langer

This chapter outlines how taking a more systematic approach to developing responsive evidence bases that can inform research, policy, and practice on community health worker (CHW) training in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) supports the provision of more effective and equitable CHW programmes. It also explores methodologies and tools to develop such evidence bases and how these can and have been used to inform decision-making. We argue that by focusing on single primary studies rather than the combined body of evidence, research and practice on the training of CHWs in LMICs is overlooking systemic patterns in the evidence base. Decisions on which types of training programmes to implement in LMICs are often based on single evaluations of programmes conducted out of context or informed by general principles for workplace-based learning. Better matching research and practice needs with the available evidence base will facilitate a more effective translation of knowledge on the training of CHWs into practice and policy decisions.


Author(s):  
Tolib Mirzoev ◽  
Enyi Etiaba ◽  
Bassey Ebenso ◽  
Benjamin Uzochukwu ◽  
Tim Ensor ◽  
...  

Abstract Realist evaluations (RE) are increasingly popular in assessing health programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This article reflects on processes of gleaning, developing, testing, consolidating and refining two programme theories (PTs) from a longitudinal mixed-methods RE of a national maternal and child health programme in Nigeria. The two PTs, facility security and patient–provider trust, represent complex and diverse issues: trust is all encompassing although less tangible, while security is more visible. Neither PT was explicit in the original programme design but emerged from the data and was supported by substantive theories. For security, we used theories of fear of crime, which perceive security as progressing from structural, political and socio-economic factors. Some facilities with the support of communities erected fences, improved lighting and employed guards, which altogether contributed to reduced fear of crime from staff and patients and improved provision and uptake of health care. The social theories for the trust PT were progressively selected to disentangle trust-related micro, meso and macro factors from the deployment and training of staff and conditional cash transfers to women for service uptake. We used taxonomies of trust factors such as safety, benevolent concerns and capability. We used social capital theory to interpret the sustainability of ‘residual’ trust after the funding for the programme ceased. Our overarching lesson is that REs are important though time-consuming ways of generating context-specific implications for policy and practice within ever-changing contexts of health systems in LMICs. It is important to ensure that PTs are ‘pitched at the right level’ of abstraction. The resource-constrained context of LMICs with insufficient documentation poses challenges for the timely convergence of nuggets of evidence to inform PTs. A retroductive approach to REs requires iterative data collection and analysis against the literature, which require continuity, coherence and shared understanding of the analytical processes within collaborative REs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document