Approaches and impact of non-academic research capacity strengthening training models in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Health Research Policy and Systems

Bethany L. Hedt-Gauthier¹  Lameck Habumugisha²  Christine Warugaba²  Peter Barebwanuwe²  Cheryl Amoroso²  Marie Paul Nisingizwe²  Jackline Odhiambo²  Dominique Rouleau²  Lambert Mugabo³ 

[1] Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Avenue, Boston 02115, MA, USA;Partners In Health-Inshuti Mu Buzima, Kigali, Rwanda;Global Health Corps, One Penn Plaza, Suite 6271, New York 10119, NY, USA

关键词: Systematic review;    sub-Saharan Africa;    Outcomes;    Capacity building;    Capacity strengthening;   

Others  :  1217376
DOI  :  10.1186/s12961-015-0017-8

 received in 2014-08-01, accepted in 2015-05-25,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Research is essential to identify and prioritize health needs and to develop appropriate strategies to improve health outcomes. In the last decade, non-academic research capacity strengthening trainings in sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with developing research infrastructure and the provision of individual mentorship support, has been used to build health worker skills. The objectives of this review are to describe different training approaches to research capacity strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa outside academic programs, assess methods used to evaluate research capacity strengthening activities, and learn about the challenges facing research capacity strengthening and the strategies/innovations required to overcome them.

Methodology

The PubMed database was searched using nine search terms and articles were included if 1) they explicitly described research capacity strengthening training activities, including information on program duration, target audience, immediate program outputs and outcomes; 2) all or part of the training program took place in sub-Saharan African countries; 3) the training activities were not a formal academic program; 4) papers were published between 2000 and 2013; and 5) both abstract and full paper were available in English.

Results

The search resulted in 495 articles, of which 450 were retained; 14 papers met all inclusion criteria and were included and analysed. In total, 4136 people were trained, of which 2939 were from Africa. Of the 14 included papers, six fell in the category of short-term evaluation period and eight in the long-term evaluation period. Conduct of evaluations and use of evaluation frameworks varied between short and long term models and some trainings were not evaluated. Evaluation methods included tests, surveys, interviews, and systems approach matrix.

Conclusions

Research capacity strengthening activities in sub-Saharan Africa outside of academic settings provide important contributions to developing in-country capacity to participate in and lead research. Institutional support, increased funds, and dedicated time for research activities are critical factors that lead to the development of successful programs. Further, knowledge sharing through scientific articles with sufficient detail is needed to enable replication of successful models in other settings.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Mugabo et al.

【 图 表 】

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