MicroResearch: Finding sustainable local health solutions in East Africa through small local research studies

N. E. MacDonald, R. Bortolussi, J. Kabakyenga, S. Pemba, B. Estambale, K. H.M. Kollmann, R. Odoi Adome, M. Appleton

Résultat de recherche: Articleexamen par les pairs

12 Citations (Scopus)

Résumé

Background: Sub-Saharan African countries have urged grassroots input to improve research capacity. In East Africa, MicroResearch is fostering local ability to find sustainable solutions for community health problems. At 5. years, the following reports its progress. Methods: The MicroResearch program had three integrated components: (1) 2-week training workshops; (2) small proposal development with international peer review followed by project funding, implementation, knowledge translation; (3) coaching from experienced researchers. Evaluation included standardized questions after completion of the workshops, 2013 online survey of recent workshop participants and discussions at two East Africa MicroResearch Forums in 2013. Results: Between 2008 and 2013, 15 workshops were conducted at 5 East Africa sites with 391 participants. Of the 29 projects funded by MicroResearch, 7 have been completed; of which 6 led to changes in local health policy/practice. MicroResearch training stimulated 13 other funded research projects; of which 8 were external to MicroResearch. Over 90% of participants rated the workshops as excellent with 20% spontaneously noting that MicroResearch changed how they worked. The survey highlighted three local research needs: mentors, skills and funding - each addressed by MicroResearch. On-line MicroResearch and alumni networks, two knowledge translation partnerships and an East Africa Leaders Consortium arose from the MicroResearch Forums. Conclusion: MicroResearch helped build local capacity for community-directed interdisciplinary health research.

Langue d'origineEnglish
Pages (de-à)185-193
Nombre de pages9
JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume4
Numéro de publication3
DOI
Statut de publicationPublished - sept. 2014

Note bibliographique

Funding Information:
MicroResearch has received funding from the International Development Research Centre of Canada ; Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation, Halifax, Canada ; Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientists Program, Toronto, Canada , and private donations via www.microresearch.ca plus in-kind donations and support from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada ; IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada, Canadian Paediatric Society, Ottawa, Canada ; Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda ; Healthy Child Uganda, Mbarara, Uganda; Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda ; University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya ; Tanzanian Training Centre for International Health, Ifakara, Tanzania and Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya .

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Epidemiology

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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