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

doi:10.1016/j.jegh.2014.01.002

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Volume 4, Issue 3, September 2014, Pages 185 - 193

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

Authors

N.E. MacDonald^a^{, b}^{, *}^,noni.macdonald@dal.ca, R. Bortolussi^a^{, b}, J. Kabakyenga^c, S. Pemba^d, B. Estambale^e, K.H.M. Kollmann^f, R. Odoi Adome^g, M. Appleton^b

^aDepartment of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

^bIWK Health Centre, Halifax, Canada

^cInstitute of Maternal Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda

^dTanzanian Training Centre for International Health, Ifakara, Tanzania

^eJaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Bondo Town, Kenya

^fDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

^gDepartment of Pharmacy, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

^*Corresponding author at: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Ave., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K 6R8, Canada.

Corresponding Author

N.E. MacDonaldnoni.macdonald@dal.ca

Received 27 September 2013, Revised 8 January 2014, Accepted 9 January 2014, Available Online 21 February 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jegh.2014.01.002 How to use a DOI?
Keywords: MicroResearch; Research capacity; Developing countries; Community health; Maternal child health; Global health
Abstract: 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.
Open Access: This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Journal: Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Volume-Issue: 4 - 3
Pages: 185 - 193
Publication Date: 2014/02/21
ISSN (Online): 2210-6014
ISSN (Print): 2210-6006
DOI: 10.1016/j.jegh.2014.01.002 How to use a DOI?
Open Access: This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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ris enw bib

TY  - JOUR
AU  - N.E. MacDonald
AU  - R. Bortolussi
AU  - J. Kabakyenga
AU  - S. Pemba
AU  - B. Estambale
AU  - K.H.M. Kollmann
AU  - R. Odoi Adome
AU  - M. Appleton
PY  - 2014
DA  - 2014/02/21
TI  - MicroResearch: Finding sustainable local health solutions in East Africa through small local research studies
JO  - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
SP  - 185
EP  - 193
VL  - 4
IS  - 3
SN  - 2210-6014
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jegh.2014.01.002
DO  - 10.1016/j.jegh.2014.01.002
ID  - MacDonald2014
ER  -

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