Challenges to research implementation during public health emergencies: anecdote of insights and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic in Gujarat, India

Abstract

Background: Health emergencies, including pandemics, are not entirely new occurrences; some notable ones occurred in the past. However, the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the unpreparedness of national health systems in effectively managing health emergencies. During the pandemic, controlling the spread of the virus and hopes of exiting into a post-pandemic era were reliant on research to improve patient care and inform government policies. Nonetheless, research implementation during health emergencies can be challenging in low-resourced settings. This paper presents anecdotes of experiences encountered in implementing a research project during the COVID-19 pandemic in Gujarat, India, and offers insights into ways research can be supported during health emergencies. Methods: We implemented a longitudinal study to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, during pregnancy on birth outcomes, growth, and development in early childhood. The study utilises hospital records and databases to recruit women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and those with no known infection. Mother-infant pairs in the infected and uninfected group were then followed longitudinally for over 3 years. Results: Observations of challenges encountered during implementation of the research, including those related to planning, retrieval of hospital records, tracking, recruitment, and follow-up of eligible women were recorded by study staff, and the observations produced as anecdotes. The challenges observed are group into three overarching themes: a) individual factors, b) health system challenges, and c) research operational challenges. Some notable observations include misinformation, misconception, mistrust, underdeveloped health record systems, stigma, and hesitance. Conclusion: We believe early planning, effective communication, and community awareness are likely to be helpful in implementing a successful research project. Additionally, efforts at improving collaboration and co-creation between health practitioners, researchers and the public may benefit the implementation of research projects during a health emergency.