Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders
Background Currently the health research system in Lao PDR is fragmented and largely donor led. Capacity among national public health institutes is limited to select priority research questions for funding. Objective The objective of this capacity building and practice-oriented study is to describe...
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doaj-4b16f1a52dea4c8bb9a22330cea3d8412020-11-25T03:26:29ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Health Action1654-98802020-07-0113S210.1080/16549716.2020.17770001777000Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholdersDirk R. Essink0Kethmany Ratsavong1Esmee Bally2Jessica Fraser3Sengdavy Xaypadith4Manithong Vonglokham5Jacqueline Ew Broerse6Sengchanh Kounnavong7Athena InstituteLao Tropical Institute and Public HealthAthena InstituteAthena InstituteMinistry of HealthLao Tropical Institute and Public HealthAthena InstituteLao Tropical Institute and Public HealthBackground Currently the health research system in Lao PDR is fragmented and largely donor led. Capacity among national public health institutes is limited to select priority research questions for funding. Objective The objective of this capacity building and practice-oriented study is to describe the process and outcome of the first National Health Research Agenda for Lao PDR and how the agenda contributes to institutional capacity of the Ministry of Health, in order to contribute to evidence-informed public health policy making. Method This activity used a mixed-methods approach. The overall design is based on principles of the interactive Learning and Action approach and consists out of 6 phases: (1) identification of needs, (2) shared analysis and integration, (3) nation-wide prioritization of research domains, (4) exploring specific research questions, (5) prioritization of research avenues, (6) dialogue and planning for action. The process involved interviews with experts in health policy and research (n = 42), telephone-based survey with district, provincial and national health staff (n = 135), a two-round Delphi consultation with experts in health policy and research (n = 33), and a workshop with policymakers, researchers, international organisations and civil society (n = 45) were held to gather data and conduct shared analysis. Results 11 research domains were identified and prioritised: Health-seeking behaviour; Health system research; Health service provision; Mother and child health (MCH); Sexual & reproductive health; Health education; Non-communicable diseases (NCDs); Irrational drug use; Communicable diseases (CDs); Road traffic accidents; Mental health. Within these domains over 200 unique research questions were identified. Conclusion Our approach led to a comprehensive, inclusive, public health agenda for Lao PDR to realise better informed health policies. Questions on the agenda are action-oriented, originating in a desire to understand the problem so that immediate improvements can be made. The agenda is used within the MoH as a tool to fund and approve research.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1777000learn: sexual reproductive health, anc and nutrition |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Dirk R. Essink Kethmany Ratsavong Esmee Bally Jessica Fraser Sengdavy Xaypadith Manithong Vonglokham Jacqueline Ew Broerse Sengchanh Kounnavong |
spellingShingle |
Dirk R. Essink Kethmany Ratsavong Esmee Bally Jessica Fraser Sengdavy Xaypadith Manithong Vonglokham Jacqueline Ew Broerse Sengchanh Kounnavong Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders Global Health Action learn: sexual reproductive health, anc and nutrition |
author_facet |
Dirk R. Essink Kethmany Ratsavong Esmee Bally Jessica Fraser Sengdavy Xaypadith Manithong Vonglokham Jacqueline Ew Broerse Sengchanh Kounnavong |
author_sort |
Dirk R. Essink |
title |
Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders |
title_short |
Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders |
title_full |
Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders |
title_fullStr |
Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders |
title_full_unstemmed |
Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders |
title_sort |
developing a national health research agenda for lao pdr: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders |
publisher |
Taylor & Francis Group |
series |
Global Health Action |
issn |
1654-9880 |
publishDate |
2020-07-01 |
description |
Background Currently the health research system in Lao PDR is fragmented and largely donor led. Capacity among national public health institutes is limited to select priority research questions for funding. Objective The objective of this capacity building and practice-oriented study is to describe the process and outcome of the first National Health Research Agenda for Lao PDR and how the agenda contributes to institutional capacity of the Ministry of Health, in order to contribute to evidence-informed public health policy making. Method This activity used a mixed-methods approach. The overall design is based on principles of the interactive Learning and Action approach and consists out of 6 phases: (1) identification of needs, (2) shared analysis and integration, (3) nation-wide prioritization of research domains, (4) exploring specific research questions, (5) prioritization of research avenues, (6) dialogue and planning for action. The process involved interviews with experts in health policy and research (n = 42), telephone-based survey with district, provincial and national health staff (n = 135), a two-round Delphi consultation with experts in health policy and research (n = 33), and a workshop with policymakers, researchers, international organisations and civil society (n = 45) were held to gather data and conduct shared analysis. Results 11 research domains were identified and prioritised: Health-seeking behaviour; Health system research; Health service provision; Mother and child health (MCH); Sexual & reproductive health; Health education; Non-communicable diseases (NCDs); Irrational drug use; Communicable diseases (CDs); Road traffic accidents; Mental health. Within these domains over 200 unique research questions were identified. Conclusion Our approach led to a comprehensive, inclusive, public health agenda for Lao PDR to realise better informed health policies. Questions on the agenda are action-oriented, originating in a desire to understand the problem so that immediate improvements can be made. The agenda is used within the MoH as a tool to fund and approve research. |
topic |
learn: sexual reproductive health, anc and nutrition |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1777000 |
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