Research capacity building integrated into PHIT projects: leveraging research and research funding to build national capacity
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Date
2017
Author(s)
Hedt-Gauthier, Bethany L.
Chilengi, Roma
Jackson, Elizabeth
Michel, Cathy
Napua, Manuel
Odhiambo, Jackline
Bawah, Ayaga
Hingora, Ahmed
Mboya, Dominic
Exavery, Amon
Tani, Kassimu
Manzi, Fatuma
Pemba, Senga
Phillips, James
Kante, Almamy Malick
Ramsey, Kate
Baynes, Colin
Awoonor-Williams, John Koku
Nimako, Belinda Afriyie
Kanlisi, Nicholas
Jackson, Elizabeth F.
Sheff, Mallory C.
Kyei, Pearl
Asuming, Patrick O.
Biney, Adriana
Ayles, Helen
Mwanza, Moses
Chirwa, Cindy
Stringer, Jeffrey
Mulenga, Mary
Musatwe, Dennis
Chisala, Masoso
Lemba, Michael
Mutale, Wilbroad
Drobac, Peter
Cyamatare Rwabukwisi, Felix
Hirschhorn, Lisa R.
Binagwaho, Agnes
Gupta, Neil
Nkikabahizi, Fulgence
Manzi, Anatole
Condo, Jeanine
Farmer, Didi Bertrand
Hedt-Gauthier, Bethany
Sherr, Kenneth
Cuembelo, Fatima
Michel, Catherine
Gimbel, Sarah
Wagenaar, Bradley
Henley, Catherine
Kariaganis, Marina
Manuel, João Luis
Pio, Alusio
Publisher
BioMed Central
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Citation
Hedt-Gauthier, B. L., R. Chilengi, E. Jackson, C. Michel, M. Napua, J. Odhiambo, A. Bawah, et al. 2017. “Research capacity building integrated into PHIT projects: leveraging research and research funding to build national capacity.” BMC Health Services Research 17 (Suppl 3): 825. doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2657-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2657-6.
Abstract
Background: Inadequate research capacity impedes the development of evidence-based health programming in sub-Saharan Africa. However, funding for research capacity building (RCB) is often insufficient and restricted, limiting institutions’ ability to address current RCB needs. The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s African Health Initiative (AHI) funded Population Health Implementation and Training (PHIT) partnership projects in five African countries (Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia) to implement health systems strengthening initiatives inclusive of RCB. Methods: Using Cooke’s framework for RCB, RCB activity leaders from each country reported on RCB priorities, activities, program metrics, ongoing challenges and solutions. These were synthesized by the authorship team, identifying common challenges and lessons learned. Results: For most countries, each of the RCB domains from Cooke’s framework was a high priority. In about half of the countries, domain specific activities happened prior to PHIT. During PHIT, specific RCB activities varied across countries. However, all five countries used AHI funding to improve research administrative support and infrastructure, implement research trainings and support mentorship activities and research dissemination. While outcomes data were not systematically collected, countries reported holding 54 research trainings, forming 56 mentor-mentee relationships, training 201 individuals and awarding 22 PhD and Masters-level scholarships. Over the 5 years, 116 manuscripts were developed. Of the 59 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals, 29 had national first authors and 18 had national senior authors. Trainees participated in 99 conferences and projects held 37 forums with policy makers to facilitate research translation into policy. Conclusion: All five PHIT projects strongly reported an increase in RCB activities and commended the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for prioritizing RCB, funding RCB at adequate levels and time frames and for allowing flexibility in funding so that each project could implement activities according to their trainees’ needs. As a result, many common challenges for RCB, such as adequate resources and local and international institutional support, were not identified as major challenges for these projects. Overall recommendations are for funders to provide adequate and flexible funding for RCB activities and for institutions to offer a spectrum of RCB activities to enable continued growth, provide adequate mentorship for trainees and systematically monitor RCB activities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-017-2657-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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