A Knowledge Brokering Program in Burkina Faso (West Africa): Reflections from Our Experience

Dagenais, Christian; McSween-Cadieux, Esther; Somé, Paul‐André; Ridde, Valéry

doi:10.1080/23288604.2016.1202368

Cited by 15 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The data analyzed were drawn primarily from formative evaluations conducted during the first years of the intervention’s implementation [30,33]. Hence, interviews were conducted in 2013 with various health actors in the intervention district, which participated in KB activities (n = 16).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Together they developed an action plan, based on context-adapted research results, to increase membership in mutuals. Upon applying that plan and after several follow-up meetings with the broker, the different MHOs saw increases in their membership after one year [33]. However, the activities came to an early end during the implementation’s third year, following efforts to relocate the intervention at the central level in order to further influence the political sphere (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A health knowledge brokering intervention in a district of Burkina Faso: A qualitative retrospective implementation analysis

et al. 2019

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Background A knowledge brokering (KB) intervention was implemented in Burkina Faso. By creating partnerships with health system actors in one district, the broker was expected to assess their knowledge needs, survey the literature to provide the most recent research evidence, produce various knowledge translation tools, and support them in using research to improve their actions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the key factors that influenced the KB project and to make recommendations for future initiatives. Methods The qualitative design involved a single case study in which the KB intervention implementation was evaluated retrospectively. Data came from interviews with the intervention team (n = 4) and with various actors involved in the intervention (n = 16). Data from formative evaluations conducted during the KB implementation and observation data from a two-month field mission were also used. Two conceptual frameworks were combined to guide the analysis: the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (Damschroder et al., 2009) and the Ecological Framework (Durlak & DuPre, 2008). Results Various KB activities were conducted during the first two years of implementation at the local level. The project came to an early end following vain efforts to relocate the intervention at the central level in order to further influence the policy process. Certain shortcomings in the implementation team negatively influenced the implementation: inadequate leadership, no shared vision regarding the reorientation of the intervention, challenges related to the KB role, and lack of frank communications internally. Other impediments to the intervention’s deployment included local actors' lack of decision-making authority, the unavailability of resources and of organizational incentives for involvement in the KB intervention, and contextual challenges in accessing the central level. However, the KB strategy presented several strengths: collaborative development, support provided to local partners by the broker, and training opportunities and support provided to the broker. Conclusions More attention must be paid to intervention planning, partners’ engagement, human, financial and technical resources availability, continuous development of skills and of communications within the KB team, and periodic assessment of potential obstacles related to the complexity of the system within which the intervention has been implemented. Using implementation science frameworks when developing KB strategies in the West African context should be promoted.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A health knowledge brokering intervention in a district of Burkina Faso: A qualitative retrospective implementation analysis

et al. 2019

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“…However, disseminating information is not enough. 44 In this project, even though our objective was focused more on the technological dimension, we were unable to devote sufficient effort to disseminating and sharing results 45 to foster their uptake by health actors. Fox 44 highlights the value of adopting a strategy that combines a tactical approach (based on information dissemination and local implementation) with actions and mechanisms to facilitate expression by local actors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relevance of a Toll-Free Call Service Using an Interactive Voice Server to Strengthen Health System Governance and Responsiveness in Burkina Faso

Lechat

Bonnet

Queuille³

et al. 2019

Int J Health Policy Manag

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Background: In Africa, health systems are poorly accessible, inequitable, and unresponsive. People rarely have either the confidence or the opportunity to express their opinions. In Burkina Faso, there is a political will to improve governance and responsiveness to create a more relevant and equitable health system. Given their development in Africa, information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer opportunities in this area. Methods: This article presents the results of an evaluation of a toll-free call service coupled with an interactive voice server (TF-IVS) tested in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to assess its relevance for improving health systems governance. The approach consisted of a 2-phased action research project to test 2 technologies: recorded messages and touch keypad. Using a concurrent mixed approach, we assessed the technological, social, and instrumental relevance of the service. Results: The call service is available everywhere, 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The equipment and its physical location were not adequately protected against technological hazards. Of the 278 days of operation, 49 were non-functional. In 8 months, there were 13 877 calls, which demonstrated the popularity of ICTs and the ease of access to telephone networks and mobile technologies. The TF-IVS was free, anonymous, and multilingual, which fostered the expression of public opinion. However, cultural context (religion, ethnic culture) and fear of reprisals may have had a negative influence. In the end, questions remained regarding people’s capacity to use this innovative service. In the first trial, 49% of callers recorded their message and in the second, 48%. Touch key technology appeared more relevant for automated and real-time data collection and analysis, but there was no comprehensive strategy for translating the information collected into a response from healthcare actors or the government. Conclusion: This study showed the relevance and feasibility of implementing a TF-IVS to strengthen health system responsiveness in one of the world’s poorest countries. Public opinion expressed through data collected in real-time is helpful for improving system responsiveness to meet care needs and enhance equity. However, the strategy for developing this tool must take into account the implementation context and the activities needed to influence the mechanisms of social responsibility (eg, information provision, citizen action, and state response).

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“…The considerable investments in not only generating knowledge but also mobilising it through knowledge brokering activities, storytelling techniques, and advocacy certainly contributed to this policy decision and the evolution of ideas (Dagenais et al, 2016;Cairney and Kwiatkowski, 2017;Dalglish et al, 2017;Davidson, 2017;Weible and Cairney, 2018). Moreover, these investments were made over a very long period, mobilising not only recognised international and national scientists, but also civil society actors, to put this work into action.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Burkina Faso used evidence in deciding to launch its policy of free healthcare for children under five and women in 2016

Ridde

Yaméogo²

2018

Palgrave Commun

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In March 2016, the newly elected government of Burkina Faso decided on a major change in health financing policy: it abolished direct payment for healthcare for women and children under five. Unlike other countries in Africa, this decision took a long time, given that the first pilot projects for this policy instrument date from 2008. This article describes that political process and presents a reflexive analysis by two authors who were at the heart of events between 2008 and 2018. The analysis shows that, while the decision took a long time and certainly amounted to a policy paradigm shift, it was the result of a complex series of events and activities whose specific contributions are difficult to identify. Crucial to the decision was long-term funding of pilot projects to test the new policy instrument, associated with the generation of evidence mobilised through a myriad of knowledge transfer activities. Moreover, it took the continued mobilisation of advocacy coalitions, action to counter preconceived notions about this instrument, and the emergence of an essential window of opportunity-the 2014 popular uprising-for the decision to be possible. In this discussion, we generalise to the conceptual and theoretical levels, but also share practical lessons learned for those interested in engaging in evidence-informed decision-making. The main lessons are: recruit, train, and mobilise people and/or services responsible for knowledge transfer activities; identify and partner with political entrepreneurs early and regularly; be persistent and consistent in producing rigorous and useful knowledge; favour independent evaluation teams using mixed methods; train researchers in policy decision-making processes and decision-makers in knowledge production issues; adapt (content, format, vocabulary, language, etc.) the evidence to the needs of the knowledge users in close collaboration with researchers and disseminate it to target audiences; understand the sometimes different logics of researchers and decision-makers and encourage their interaction; to seize opportunities, regularly analyse the political decision-making processes specific to the national context as well as the social and political contexts favourable (or not) to decision-making.

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A Knowledge Brokering Program in Burkina Faso (West Africa): Reflections from Our Experience

Cited by 15 publications

References 15 publications

A health knowledge brokering intervention in a district of Burkina Faso: A qualitative retrospective implementation analysis

A health knowledge brokering intervention in a district of Burkina Faso: A qualitative retrospective implementation analysis

Relevance of a Toll-Free Call Service Using an Interactive Voice Server to Strengthen Health System Governance and Responsiveness in Burkina Faso

How Burkina Faso used evidence in deciding to launch its policy of free healthcare for children under five and women in 2016

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