Building the capacity of users and producers of evidence in health policy and systems research for better control of endemic diseases in Nigeria: a situational analysis

Onwujekwe, Obinna; Etiaba, Enyi; Mbachu, Chinyere; Ezenwaka, Uchenna; Chikezie, Ifeanyi; Arize, Ifeyinwa; Nwankwor, Chikezie; Uzochukwu, Benjamin

doi:10.1186/s12992-019-0530-6

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The finding that although many of the policy/decisionmakers were knowledgeable that research evidence should inform policy decisions but only a few reported they are currently using/have ever used in the past for developing policy/strategy and implementation or reviewing programs shows that high knowledge or awareness of HPSR does not translate to policy and practice. Our finding is in line with other studies that reported limited use of evidence in decision-making (18,37), and in contrast with another study that found knowledge to translate to evidence use (4).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Getting Evidence From Health Policy and Systems Research Into Policy and Practice for Controlling Endemic Tropical Diseases in Nigeria: Assessing Knowledge, Capacity, and Use

Ezenwaka

Onwujekwe

2021

Front. Trop. Dis

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundGetting evidence from Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) into policy and practice for effective control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is essential for providing better service delivery because evidence-informed decision-making improves the effectiveness of a health system and health outcomes. The paper provides new knowledge on the policy-/decision-makers’ level of knowledge, capacity to use, and how evidence from HPSR has been used in decision-making for the control of endemic tropical diseases (ETDs), especially the NTDs and malaria in Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional qualitative study of decision-makers was undertaken in Anambra and Enugu states, southeast Nigeria. Data was collected through in-depth interviews (n=22) of purposively selected decision-makers to assess how HPSR evidence is translated into policy and practice for controlling ETDs. The respondents were selected based on their job description, roles, and involvement in the control of ETDs. Data were analyzed using the thematic content approach.ResultsThere is a considerable level of knowledge on HPSR and its relationship with evidence-informed policy- and decision-making towards control of ETDs and health system strengthening. Organizational capacity to use HPSR evidence in decision-making was found to be weak due to various reasons such as no embedded structure for translating research evidence to policy and practice, lack of decision-making autonomy by individuals, and politically driven decisions. Few respondents have either ever used or are currently using HPRS evidence for developing/reviewing and implementing strategies for ETDs programs. Majority of the respondents reported that their main source of evidence was routine data from health information management system, which they found useful due to its representativeness and completeness. Main enabler for using HPSR evidence for decision-making is existing collaborations between researchers and policy-/decision-makers.ConclusionThere is a high level of awareness about evidence from HPSR and the usefulness of such evidence in decision-making. However, this awareness does not translate to optimal use of evidence for decision-making due to weak organizational capacity and other constraints. There is the need to invest in capacity-building activities to develop a critical mass of users of evidence (policy-/decision-makers) to facilitate enhanced uptake of high-quality evidence into policy decisions for better control of ETDs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Getting Evidence From Health Policy and Systems Research Into Policy and Practice for Controlling Endemic Tropical Diseases in Nigeria: Assessing Knowledge, Capacity, and Use

Ezenwaka

Onwujekwe

2021

Front. Trop. Dis

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although funding and implementation are essential in primary healthcare systems across states in Nigeria, various challenges may hinder complete and optimal implementation, considering that it is in a nascent stage. The existing literature on the BHCPF has only explored topical issues on the political economy of its design, 7,[22][23][24][25][26] accountability mechanisms, 25 status of fund release and execution at the national level, 7,27 and broader health nancing landscape assessments. 28 These literature had provided valuable insights into the structural and procedural aspects of the BHCPF.…”

Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Implementation of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Gateway for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) Across Six Northern States in Nigeria

Igbokwe,

Ibrahim,

Aina

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: This evaluation research utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the implementation of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) gateway of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) across six states in Northern Nigeria: Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, and Yobe. Methods: This was a mixed-method research that utilized longitudinal surveys and Key informant interviews to gather information about the implementation status of the BHCPF-NPHCDA gateway. Checklists were developed based on the BHCPF’s national guidelines to gather quantitative data, while simple open-ended questionnaires were used to collect qualitative data from the state BHCPF Program Implementation Unit (PIU) focal persons as key informants. Results: The result revealed that the NPHCDA had accredited these six states to use one Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in each political ward to implement the BHCPF. Factors that contributed to the success achieved in some states included the early completion of contingent start-up activities, well-established coordination structures, strong support from partners, and availability of established financial management systems. However, the delays in the submission of quarterly business plans by the BHCPF facilities affected timely approval and fund disbursement. Other challenges included staff capacity gaps, inadequate human resources, and poor management and supervision from the state health agency teams. Conclusion: There was suboptimal implementation of the BHCPF in at least one thematic area across all states. Therefore, actions such as government commitment for improved coordination, continuous capacity building, effective monitoring and evaluation, and targeted supportive supervision using innovative approaches should be undertaken to improve the program’s implementation. In a broader setting, the insights from BHCPF implementation are valuable for LMICs, offering guidance on overcoming implementation challenges associated with PHC financing. This research provides a resource for enhancing healthcare financing strategies in similar contexts.

show abstract

“…This approach is crucial for bridging the gap between research and policy implementation, facilitating evidenceinformed decision-making. Onwujekwe et al (2019) further reveal the disparity between the awareness and actual use of health policy and systems research (HPSR) evidence in policymaking, indicating a need for empowering decisionmakers with the autonomy to utilize evidence effectively. Dada et al (2022) demonstrate the practical application of these principles through their work in building a responsive healthcare system in Nigeria.…”

Section: Implications For Policy and Practice In Enhancing Healthcare...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Capacity building in Nigeria's healthcare sector: A review of skill development and mentorship initiatives

Beatrice Adedayo Okunade,

Foluke Eyitayo Adediran,

Obe Destiny Balogun

et al. 2023

World J. Adv. Res. Rev.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper delves into the critical realm of skill development and mentorship within Nigeria's healthcare sector, aiming to dissect and evaluate the current state of healthcare capacity building. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria's complex healthcare landscape, the study navigates through the intricacies of healthcare training, mentorship practices, and the challenges inherent in the system. The primary aim is to scrutinize the effectiveness of existing skill development initiatives and mentorship models, and how they align with the healthcare needs of Nigeria. Employing a comprehensive literature review as its methodological backbone, the paper systematically examines various government and NGO-led programs, mentorship practices, and the integration of skill development with mentorship. This approach enables a thorough analysis of the historical evolution, current challenges, and gaps in healthcare capacity building in Nigeria. The findings reveal a healthcare sector that, despite facing infrastructural and educational challenges, is witnessing progressive strides in skill development and mentorship. The study highlights the transformative impact of these initiatives on healthcare delivery, emphasizing the synergy between skill enhancement and mentorship in elevating healthcare standards. It also identifies the critical role of mentorship in fostering professional growth and leadership among healthcare practitioners. Conclusively, the paper underscores the need for a multi-faceted and collaborative approach in enhancing healthcare capacity. It recommends robust skill development programs, innovative mentorship models, and strategic policy interventions aimed at creating a sustainable, resilient, and efficient healthcare system. The study advocates for a united effort from government bodies, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and international partners to achieve these goals. This paper is a clarion call for a renewed focus on capacity building in Nigeria's healthcare sector, highlighting the path towards a more competent and responsive healthcare system.

show abstract

Building the capacity of users and producers of evidence in health policy and systems research for better control of endemic diseases in Nigeria: a situational analysis

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

Getting Evidence From Health Policy and Systems Research Into Policy and Practice for Controlling Endemic Tropical Diseases in Nigeria: Assessing Knowledge, Capacity, and Use

Getting Evidence From Health Policy and Systems Research Into Policy and Practice for Controlling Endemic Tropical Diseases in Nigeria: Assessing Knowledge, Capacity, and Use

Evaluating the Implementation of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Gateway for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) Across Six Northern States in Nigeria

Capacity building in Nigeria's healthcare sector: A review of skill development and mentorship initiatives

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About