. Chigozie Jesse Uneke; . Abel Ebeh Ezeoha; . Henry Chukwuemeka Uro‑Chukwu
Volume 8, Issue 2 , February 2018, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Capacity constraints on implementation research among policymakers andresearchers are a major challenge to the evidence to policy link. This study was designed to bringtogether ...
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BACKGROUND: Capacity constraints on implementation research among policymakers andresearchers are a major challenge to the evidence to policy link. This study was designed to bringtogether senior policymakers and researchers in Nigeria to consider issues around research‑to‑policyinterface and enhance their capacity on implementation research.METHODS: The design was a cross‑sectional study. A 3‑day joint implementation research workshopwas held for policymakers and researchers using World Health Organization/TDR ImplementationResearch Toolkit. Assessment of participants’ capacity for evidence‑informed policymaking andknowledge on implementation research was done using a 5‑point Likert scale questionnaire.A postworkshop key informant interview was also conducted.RESULTS: A total of 20 researchers and 15 policymakers participated in the study. Theinteraction/partnership between policymakers and researchers was generally rare in terms ofpriority‑setting process, involvement as coinvestigators, and executing strategies to supportpolicymakers’ use of research findings. The mean ratings (MNRs) recorded mostly rangedfrom 1.80 to 1.89 on the 5‑point scale. Researchers were rarely involved in the generation ofpolicy‑relevant research that satisfies policymakers’ needs with MNR very low at 1.74. TheMNRs for capacity to acquire, assess, and adapt research were generally considerably higheramong researchers (3.16–3.82) than policymakers (2.27–3.20). There was a general consensusthat the training tremendously improved participants’ understanding and use of implementationresearch.CONCLUSION: Policymakers and researchers are increasingly recognizing their need to work witheach other in the interest of the health systems. There is a need to create more capacity enhancementplatforms that will facilitate the interface between them.
