Bridging the Gap in Implementation Science: Evaluating a Capacity-Building Program in Data Management, Analysis, Utilization, and Dissemination in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

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Date
2018
Authors
Memiah, Peter
Mu, Tristi Ah
Penner, Jeremy
Owour, Kevin
Gituathi, Carol Ngunu
Prevot, Kourtney
Mochache, Vernon
Wekesa, Paul
Oyore, John
Komba, Patience
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Abstract
Building capacity in implementation science within health programs is dependent on training in theory and practice of epidemiology, statistics, and research in addition to high self-efficacy toward application of training. This article describes a training program providing technical assistance to more than 300 health facilities in Kenya and Tanzania, its evaluation results, and its ability to improve participants’ knowledge, competencies, and self-efficacy on data management, analysis, and dissemination among health care professionals. Two months prior to the training, participants (n = 98) were emailed a pre-course survey including 19 questions using a Likerttype response for planning the content of the workshop. Six to 12 weeks after the training, a post-course survey was emailed to all participants. Five different trainings were conducted indicating 5 participant cohorts. The questions posed involved course satisfaction, course impact on knowledge and skills, and self-efficacy in data analysis and utilization. Post-course survey results revealed that the participants had confidence in data analysis, which was significantly different from the pre-test results (0.05 a). Qualitative commentary complemented the findings of the impact of the workshop. Four manuscripts and 13 abstracts have been submitted post training. Results suggest that a short-term training program can achieve immediate gains in data and research self-efficacy among health care professionals. Although increasing self-efficacy is a necessary first step in developing skills, educators should engage in continuing education for sustainable dissemination practices. There is an urgent need to determine the current infrastructure to promote scientific dissemination. This will assist countries to produce better evidence to support their programs, policies, and overall health programs.
Description
Article
Keywords
capacity-building, HIV, research, implementation science
Citation
Memiah, P., Ah Mu, T., Penner, J., Owour, K., Ngunu-Gituathi, C., Prevot, K., ... & Komba, P. (2018). Bridging the gap in implementation science: evaluating a Capacity-Building program in data management, analysis, utilization, and dissemination in low-and middle-income countries. Population Health Management, 21(3), 245-251.