Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Health Information Science

Program

Health Information Science

Supervisor

Kothari, Anita

2nd Supervisor

Nouvet, Elysee

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa is unlikely to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. With poor health outcomes and a dependence on external funding, global health research partnerships (GHRPs) with high-income countries are criticized for being inequitable and inadequately representing local researchers.

Objective: This study examined the barriers and facilitators to Knowledge Translation (KT) in GHRPs in Sub-Saharan Africa, critiquing them through the lens of local researchers’ experiences and the degree of congruence with partnership principles in contemporary literature.

Methods: A critical scoping review of literature from five databases was conducted to identify barriers and facilitators to KT. Alignment with published GHRP principles was assessed using a rubric.

Conclusion: Evaluating GHRPs and identifying KT barriers and facilitators to KT can guide researchers and policymakers in building equitable and efficient partnerships. This process promotes decolonization and co-creating sustainable bridges between research and global health policy and practice in Sub-Saharan Africa

Summary for Lay Audience

This research explores how partnerships that implement health projects in Sub-Saharan Africa can better share health information and contribute to improving health outcomes, despite facing challenges like limited funds, poor research skills, and weak coordination. Previous studies on the subject suggest that a key factor for improving health outcomes was the missing link (called the Know-Do Gap) between having well-researched evidence (that shows health administrators and health workers what to do) and the national health policies and the actions of health care workers (which often, are not based on well-researched evidence). The study examined thirteen research publications to identify factors that improve or worsen this know-do gap. The findings show that projects do better when organizations collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and respect each other. However, they often struggle due to a lack of resources like money, technology, and a failure to fully include local knowledge, culture, as well as the perspectives of the researchers and persons of influence who are not traditionally considered researchers, who make up the partnership. In summary, for health research projects in Sub-Saharan Africa to be successful, it is crucial that all participants (particularly the local governments and communities participating in research) collaborate effectively, use technology better, and understand and respect each other's needs and opinions while using their resources wisely. This approach can help overcome challenges in forming research partnerships and lead to better health outcomes for everyone, within and outside the continent.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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