Promotion of evidence-informed health policymaking in Nigeria: Bridging the gap between researchers and policymakers

Abstract

In Nigeria, the lack of adequate understanding of the complex nature of translating research into policy and the incompatibility existing between researchers and policymakers constitute a great challenge to evidence-informed policymaking. To address these challenges a one-day evidence-to-policy training workshop was organised for policymakers, researchers and other major stakeholders in the health sector in southeastern Nigeria. Of the 104 individuals invited to the workshop 87 (83.6%) attended. The workshop training sessions focused on capacity development for evidence-informed health policy-making and building effective linkages/partnerships. The post-workshop assessment indicated significant improvements in participants' knowledge, their understanding of the health policymaking process and the use of evidence compared to their pre-workshop status. Using a focus group discussion, major strategies identified by participants that can bridge the gap between health policymakers and researchers included: involving both parties in planning and execution of health research and health programmes; promoting dialogue between researchers and policymakers; institutionalising research grants and commissioning research in health ministries; and ensuring that researchers are made to focus on the core needs of policymakers. There is need for further discussion and debate on the researchers and policymakers partnership concept in low income settings.

Feasibility of a rapid response mechanism to meet policymakers' urgent needs for research evidence about health systems in a low income country: a case study

“…However, once this happened, several began to refer their colleagues to it. It was also a challenge getting personnel with the right mix of skills and qualifications to work on the service, a challenge that has been previously reported in KT literature [9],[25],[30]. In addition, the demand on personal time that the service required was also a challenge for human resource.…”

“…Evidence may be used to inform background discussions about the subject at hand; it may aid the definition of the problem, identify the different policy or practice options to consider, or inform implementation strategies in terms of barriers and facilitators [8]. It may also help identify new subjects for the policy agenda and evaluate the impacts of policies too [9]. …”

“…However they have quickly learned that research results rarely passively get adopted into policy and practice [12],[13], resulting in a persistent `know-do' gap - the difference between what we know from research and other sources of evidence, and what we actually do in practice or incorporate in our policies [14]. When health systems fail to use evidence optimally, the result is inefficient use of the available resources and subsequently a reduction in both quantity and quality of healthcare and health outcomes [9],[15]. In fact, the inability for health systems in many low and middle income countries to effectively use evidence to inform their decisions and interventions is cited as a major obstacle to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals [16],[17].…”

Enhancing the Capacity of Policy-Makers to Develop Evidence-Informed Policy Brief on Infectious Diseases of Poverty in Nigeria

“…65 In our previous study, participants in the focus group discussion conducted in this study were in consensus that collaboration between researchers and policymakers was needful so as to align researchers more specifically to operational problems inherent in the health systems from the policy-making perspective. 66 A very notable initiative in this study was the inclusion in the content of the training of policy-makers of topics on ethics in policy-making, and policy implementation which seldom are addressed in EIP initiatives. 67 Hyder and colleagues 68 noted in their report that ethics is gradually being integrated into public-health policy decisions in many developing health systems, even though it is often implicit and undervalued.…”

Implementation of a health policy advisory committee as a knowledge translation platform: the Nigeria experience

“…Nigeria is among the increasing number of countries worldwide that are recognizing the importance of research evidence in the development of effective health policy that can strengthen the health systems (1,2). Numerous available scientific reports have indicated that evidence from research can enhance health policy process and development by informing decisions about policy content and direction (3)(4)(5)(6).…”