Affiliation:
1. American University of Beirut
2. St George’s Hospital Medical School, St George’s University of London
3. Swiss Cross Foundation
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Health Research Capacity Building (HRCB) is key to improving health research production among health workers in LMICs to inform health policies and reduce health disparities in conflict settings. However, few HRCB programs are available in the MENA region, and few evaluations of HRCB globally are reported in the literature.
Methods
Through a qualitative longitudinal design, we evaluated the first implementation of the Center for Research and Education in the Ecology of War (CREEW) fellowship. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fellows (n = 5) throughout the program at key phases during their completion of courses and at each research phase. Additional data was collected from supervisors and peers of fellows at their organizations. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and presented under pre-identified themes.
Results
Despite the success of most fellows in learning on how to conduct research on AMR in conflict settings and completing the fellowship by producing research outputs, important challenges were identified. Results are categorized under predefined categories of (1) course delivery, (2) proposal development, (3) IRB application, (4) data collection, (5) data analysis, (6) manuscript write-up, (7) long-term effects, and (8) mentorship and networking.
Conclusion
The CREEW model, based on this evaluation, shows potential to be replicable and scalable to other contexts and other health-related topics. Detailed discussion and analysis are presented in the manuscript and synthesized recommendations are highlighted for future programs to consider during the design, implementation, and evaluation of such programs.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Reference45 articles.
1. The World Bank. Classification of Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations, https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/fragilityconflictviolence/brief/harmonized-list-of-fragile-situations (2021, accessed January 27, 2022).
2. Kohrt BA, Mistry AS, Anand N, et al. Health research in humanitarian crises: An urgent global imperative. BMJ Global Health; 4. Epub ahead of print November 1, 2019. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001870.
3. Woodward A, Sheahan K, Martineau T, et al. Health systems research in fragile and conflict affected states: a qualitative study of associated challenges. Health Research Policy and Systems 2017 15:1 2017; 15: 1–12.
4. Armed conflict as a public health problem;Murray CJL;BMJ,2002
5. Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC). No respite: Violence against Health Care in Conflict, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/SHCC%202021%20Report%20No%20respite%20Violence%20against%20health%20care%20in%20conflict_0.pdf (May 2021, accessed January 27, 2022).