Top

International Journal of Public Health

Published in:

Open Access 01-11-2015 | Review

What research tells us about knowledge transfer strategies to improve public health in low-income countries: a scoping review

Authors: Stéphanie Siron, Christian Dagenais, Valéry Ridde

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 7/2015

Abstract

Objectives

This study describes the current state of research on knowledge transfer strategies to improve public health in low-income countries, to identify the knowledge gaps on this topic.

Methods

In this scoping review, a descriptive and systematic process was used to analyse, for each article retained, descriptions of research context and methods, types of knowledge transfer activities and results reported.

Results

28 articles were analysed. They dealt with the evaluation of transfer strategies that employed multiple activities, mostly targeting health professionals and women with very young children. Most often these studies used quantitative designs and measurements of instrumental use with some methodological shortcomings. Results were positive and suggested recommendations for improving professional practices, knowledge and health-related behaviours. The review highlights the great diversity of transfer strategies used, strategies and many conditions for knowledge use.

Conclusions

The review provides specific elements for understanding the transfer processes in low-income countries and highlights the need for systematic evaluation of the conditions for research results utilization.

Available only for authorised users

Abuya T, Fegan G, Rowa Y, Karisa B, Ochola S, Mutemi W, Marsh V (2009) Impact of ministry of health interventions on private medicine retailer knowledge and practices on anti-malarial treatment in Kenya. Am J Trop Med Hyg 80(6):905–913. http://www.ajtmh.org/content/80/6/905.short. Accessed 17 July 2015

Abuya TO, Fegan G, Amin AA, Akhwale WS, Noor AM, Snow RW, Marsh V (2010) Evaluating different dimensions of programme effectiveness for private medicine retailer malaria control interventions in Kenya. PLoS One 5(1):e8937. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0008937 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Ahmed SM, Zerihun A (2010) Possession and usage of insecticidal bed nets among the people of Uganda: is BRAC Uganda health programme pursuing a pro-poor path? PLoS One 5(9):e12660. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012660 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Allen LH, Gillespie SR (2001) What works? A review of the efficacy and effectiveness of nutrition interventions. ACC/SCN Geneva in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, Manila. http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/whatworks.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Arksey H, O’Malley L (2005) Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol 8(1):19–32. doi:10.1080/1364557032000119616 CrossRef

Ayieko P, Ntoburi S, Wagai J, Opondo C, Opiyo N, Migiro S, Wamae A, Mogoa W, Were F, Wasunna A, Fegan G, Irimu G, English M (2011) A multifaceted intervention to implement guidelines and improve admission paediatric care in Kenyan district hospitals: a cluster randomised trial. PLoS Med 8(4):e1001018. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001018 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Bagamoyo College of Arts, Tanzania Theatre Centre, Mabala R, Allen KB (2002) Participatory action research on HIV/AIDS through a popular theatre approach in Tanzania. Eval Program Plann 25(4):333–339. doi:10.1016/S0149-7189(02)00044-7 CrossRef

Bero LA, Grilli R, Grimshaw JM, Harvey E, Oxman AD, Thomson MA (1998) Closing the gap between research and practice: an overview of systematic reviews of interventions to promote the implementation of research findings. BMJ 317(7156):465–468. doi:10.1136/bmj.317.7156.465 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Blanton E, Ombeki S, Oluoch GO, Mwaki A, Wannemuehler K, Quick R (2010) Evaluation of the role of school children in the promotion of point-of-use water treatment and handwashing in schools and households—Nyanza Province, Western Kenya, 2007. Am J Trop Med Hyg 82(4):664–671. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0422 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Corrigan PW, Steiner L, McCracken SG, Blaser B, Barr M (2001) Strategies for disseminating evidence-based practices to staff who treat people with serious mental illness. Psychiatr Serv 52(12):1598–1606. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.52.12.1598 CrossRefPubMed

Dagenais C, Janosz M (2008) Étude des besoins des chercheurs de l’université en matière de transfert des connaissances issues de la recherche [Report on the needs of the University’s researchers with regard to transferring knowledge emanating from research]. Regroupement VINCI, Bureau Recherche—Développement—Valorisation. University of Montreal. https://www.recherche.umontreal.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/Valorisation_de_la_recherche/rapport_final_vinci.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Dagenais C, Janosz M, Abrami P, Bernard R, Lysenko L (2008) Intégrer les informations issues de la recherche aux pratiques professionnelles des enseignants et des gestionnaires dans les écoles : Pour un modèle de transfert des connaissances adapté au domaine de l’éducation. [Integrating research results into the professional practices of teachers and managers in schools: a knowledge transfer model adapted to education]. Report prepared for the Canadian Council on Learning, Ottawa. http://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/FundedResearch/DagenaisFRFinal.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Dagenais C, Malo M, Robert E, Ouimet M, Berthelette D, Ridde V (2013a) Knowledge transfer on complex social interventions in public health: a scoping study. PLoS One 8(12):e80233. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0080233 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Dagenais C, Queuille L, Ridde V (2013b) Evaluation of a knowledge transfer strategy from a user fee exemption program for vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso. Glob Health Promot 20(Suppl 1):70–79. doi:10.1177/1757975912462416 CrossRefPubMed

Davies HTO, Nutley SM, Walter I (2010) Using evidence: how social research could be better used to improve public service performance. In: Walshe K, Harvey G, Jas P (eds) Connecting knowledge and performance in public services: from knowing to doing. Cambridge University Press, New York, pp 199–225CrossRef

Delva W, Yard E, Luchters S, Chersich MF, Muigai E, Oyier V, Termmerman M (2010) A Safe Motherhood project in Kenya: assessment of antenatal attendance, service provision and implications for PMTCT. Trop Med Int Health 15(5):584–591. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02499.x CrossRefPubMed

Denis JL, Hébert Y, Langley A, Lozeau D, Trottier LH (2002) Explaining diffusion patterns for complex health care innovations. Health Care Manage Rev 27(3):60–73. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12146784. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Dobbins M, Robeson P, Ciliska D, Hanna S, Cameron R, O’Mara L, DeCorby K, Mercer S (2009) A description of a knowledge broker role implemented as part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating three knowledge translation strategies. Implement Sci 4(23):1–9. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-4-23

Dynes M, Rahman A, Beck D, Moran A, Rahman A, Pervin J, Yunus M, Rashid MH, Gazi T, Kanti Biswas K, Buffington S, Patterson JM, Sibley L (2011) Home-based life saving skills in Matlab, Bangladesh: a process evaluation of a community-based maternal child health programme. Midwifery 27(1):15–22. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2009.07.009 CrossRefPubMed

English M, Nzinga J, Mbindyo P, Ayieko P, Irimu G, Mbaabu L (2011) Explaining the effects of a multifaceted intervention to improve inpatient care in rural Kenyan hospitals—interpretation based on retrospective examination of data from participant observation, quantitative and qualitative studies. Implement Sci 6(124):1–12. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-6-124

Estabrooks CA, Floyd JA, O’Leary KA, Gushta M (2003) Individual determinants of research utilization: a systematic review. J Adv Nurs 43(5):506–520. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02748.x CrossRefPubMed

Estabrooks CA, Thompson DS, Lovely JJ, Hofmeyer A (2006) A guide to knowledge translation theory. J Contin Educ Health Prof 26(1):25–36. doi:10.1002/chp.48 CrossRefPubMed

Friend D, Chertok IRA (2009) Evaluation of an educational intervention to promote breast pump use among women with infants in a special care nursery in Kenya. Public Health Nurs 26(4):339–345. doi:10.111/j.1525.1446.2009.00788.x CrossRefPubMed

FRQ-SC (2011) Plan d’action en matière de transfert de connaissances 2011–2014. [Knowledge transfer action plan 2011–2014] Fonds de recherche québécois—Société et culture. Québec. http://www.frqsc.gouv.qc.ca/upload/publications-fqrsc/fichiers/publication_52.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Gagliardi AR, Fraser N, Wright FC, Lemieux-Charles L, Davis D (2008) Fostering knowledge exchange between researchers and decision-makers: exploring the effectiveness of a mixed-methods approach. Health Policy 86(1):53–63. doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2007.09.002 CrossRefPubMed

Gazi R, Mercer A, Khatun J, Islam Z (2005) Effectiveness of depot-holders introduced in urban areas: evidence from a pilot in Bangladesh. J Health Popul Nutr 23(4):377–387. http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?hn05050. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

GBD 2013, Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators (2015) Global, regional, and national age–sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet 385:117–171. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61682-2 CrossRef

Graham ID, Logan J, Harrison MB, Straus SE, Tetroe J, Caswell W, Robinson N (2006) Lost in knowledge translation: time for a map? J Contin Educ Health Prof 26(1):13–24. doi:10.1002/chp.47 CrossRefPubMed

Grimshaw JM, Thomas RE, MacLennan G, Fraser G, Ramsay CR, Vale L, Whitty P, Eccles MP, Matowe L, Shirran L, Wensing M, Dijkstra R, Donaldson C (2004) Effectiveness and efficiency of guideline dissemination and implementation strategies. Health Technol Assess 8(6):iii–iv, 1–72. doi:10.3310/hta8060

Grimshaw JM, Eccles MP, Thomas R, MacLennan G, Ramsay C, Fraser C, Vale K (2006) Toward evidence-based quality improvement. Evidence (and its limitations) of the effectiveness of guideline dissemination and implementation strategies 1966–1998. J Gen Intern Med 21(Suppl 2):14–20. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2006.00357.x

Grimshaw JM, Eccles MP, Lavis JN, Hill SJ, Squires JE (2012) Knowledge translation of research findings. Implement Sci 7:50. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-7-50 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Grol R, Grimshaw J (2003) From best evidence to best practice: effective implementation of change in patients’ care. Lancet 362(9391):1225–1230. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14546-1 CrossRefPubMed

Innvaer S, Vist G, Trommald M, Oxman A (2002) Health policy-makers’ perceptions of their use of evidence: a systematic review. J Health Serv Res Policy 7(4):239–244. doi:10.1258/135581902320432778 CrossRefPubMed

Kaseje D, Olayo R, Musita C, Oindo CO, Wafula C, Muga R (2010) Evidence-based dialogue with communities for district health systems’ performance improvement. Glob Public Health 5(6):595–610. doi:10.1080/17441690903418969 CrossRefPubMed

Kebede D, Zielinski C, Mbondji PE, Piexoto M, Kouvividila W, Lusamba-Dikassa PS (2014) The way forward—narrowing the knowledge gap in the sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen health systems. J R Soc Med 107(15):10–12. doi:10.1177/0141076813512818 CrossRefPubMed

Kidala D, Greiner T, Gebre-Medhin M (2000) Five-year follow-up of a food-based vitamin A intervention in Tanzania. Public Health Nutr 3(4):425–431. http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=556224&fileId=S1368980000000495. Accessed 17 July 2015

Landry R, Amara N, Lamari M (2001) Utilization of social science research in Canada. Res Policy 30(2):333–349. doi:10.1016/S0048-7333(00)00081-0 CrossRef

Lemay NV, Sullivan T, Jumbe B, Perry CP (2012) Reaching remote health workers in Malawi: baseline assessment of a pilot mHealth intervention. J Health Commun 17(Suppl 1):105–117. doi:10.1080/10810730.2011.649106 CrossRefPubMed

Leow JJ, Groen RS, Kamara TB, Dumbuya SS, Kingham TP, Daoh KS, Kushner AL (2011) Teaching emergency and essential surgical care in Sierra Leone: a model for low income countries. J Surg Educ 68(5):393–396. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2011.05.012 CrossRefPubMed

Levine R, What Works Working Group (2004) Millions saved. Proven successes in global health. Center for Global Development, Washington, DC

Libamba E, Makombe SD, Harries AD, Schouten EJ, Yu JK, Pasulani O, Mhango E, Aberle-Grasse J, Hochgesang M, Limbambala E, Lungu D (2007) Malawi’s contribution to “3 by 5”: achievements and challenges. Bull World Health Organ 85(2):156–160. doi:10.2471/BLT.05.033688 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Loewenson R, Laurell AC, Hogstedt C, D’Ambruoso L, Shroff Z (2014) Participatory action research in health systems: a methods reader. TARSC, AHPSR, WHO, IDRC Canada, EQUINET, Harare. http://www.equinetafrica.org/bibl/docs/PAR%20Methods%20Reader2014%20for%20web.pdf. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Lysenko LV, Abrami PC, Bernard RB, Dagenais C, Janosz M (2014) Educational research in educational practice: predictors of use. Can J Educ 37(2). http://journals.sfu.ca/cje/index.php/cje-rce/article/view/1477. Accessed 17 July 2015

Malo M, Robert E (2011) Proposition: canevas pour une scoping study (Unpublished manuscript)

Manzi F, Schellenberg J, Hamis Y, Mushi AK, Shirima K, Mwita A, Simba A, Rusibamayila N, Kitambi M, Tanner M, Alonso P, Mshinda H, Schellenberg D (2009) Intermittent preventive treatment for malaria and anaemia control in Tanzanian infants: the development and implementation of a public health strategy. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 103(1):79–86. doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.08.014 CrossRefPubMed

McKibbon KA, Lokker C, Wilczynski NL, Ciliska D, Dobbins M, Davis DA, Haynes RB, Straus SE (2010) A cross-sectional study of the number and frequency of terms used to refer to knowledge translation in a body of health literature in 2006: a Tower of Babel? Implement Sci 5(16):1–11. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-5-16

Nutley S, Jung T, Walter I (2008) The many forms of research-informed practice: a framework for mapping diversity. Camb J Educ 38(1):53–71. doi:10.1080/03057640801889980 CrossRef

Nyagero J, Wangila S, Kutai V, Olango S (2012) Behaviour change and associated factors among female sex workers in Kenya. Pan Afr Med J 13(1):1–6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3589252/. Accessed 17 July 2015

Nzinga J, Mbindyo P, Mbaabu L, Warira A, English M (2009) Documenting the experiences of health workers expected to implement guidelines during an intervention study in Kenyan hospitals. Implement Sci 4:44. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-4-44. Accessed 17 July 2015PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Ouimet M, Landry R, Amara N, Belkhodja O (2006) What factors induce health care decision-makers to use clinical guidelines? Evidence from provincial health ministries, regional health authorities and hospitals in Canada. Soc Sci Med 62(4):964–976. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.06.040 CrossRefPubMed

Pentland D, Forsyth K, Maciver D, Walsh M, Murray R, Irvine L, Sikora S (2011) Key characteristics of knowledge transfer and exchange in healthcare: integrative literature review. J Adv Nurs 67(7):1408–1425. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05631.x CrossRefPubMed

Perez F, Ba H, Dastagire SG, Altmann M (2009) The role of community health workers in improving child health programmes in Mali. BMC Int Health Hum Rights 9:28. doi:10.1186/1472-698X-9-28. Accessed 17 July 2015PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Peters DH, El-Saharty S, Siadat B, Janovsky K, Vujicic M (eds) (2009) Improving health service delivery in developing countries: from evidence to action. World Bank, Washington, DC. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/12335. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Pluye P, Robert E, Cargo M, Bartlett G, O’Cathain A, Griffiths F, Boardman F, Gagnon MP, Rousseau MC (2011) Proposal: a mixed methods appraisal tool for systematic mixed studies. Archived by WebCite^® at http://www.webcitation.org/5tTRTc9yJ. Accessed on 6 Mar 2015

Puchalski Ritchie LM, van Lettow M, Barnsley J, Chan AK, Joshua M, Martiniuk AL, Schull MJ, Zwarenstein M (2012) Evaluation of lay health workers’ needs to effectively support anti-tuberculosis treatment adherence in Malawi. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 16(11):1492–1497. doi:10.5588/ijtld.12.0206 CrossRefPubMed

Shrestha S (2002) Increasing contraceptive acceptance through empowerment of female community health volunteers in rural Nepal. J Health Popul Nutr 20(2):156–165. http://www.jhpn.net/index.php/jhpn/article/view/140/135. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Shrestha N, Samir KC, Baltussen R, Kafle KK, Bishai D, Niessen L (2006) Practical approach to lung health in Nepal: better prescribing and reduction of cost. Trop Med Int Health 11(5):765–772. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01599.x CrossRefPubMed

Sodhi S, Banda H, Kathyola D, Burciul B, Thompson S, Joshua M, Bateman E, Fairall L, Martiniuk A, Cornick R, Faris G, Draper B, Mondiwa M, Katengeza E, Sanudi L, Zwarenstein M, Schull MJ (2011) Evaluating a streamlined clinical tool and educational outreach intervention for health care workers in Malawi: the PALM PLUS case study. BMC Int Health Hum Rights 11(Suppl 2):S11. doi:10.1186/1472-698X-11-S2-S11. Accessed 17 Jul 2015PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Sombié I, Aidam J, Konaté B, Somé TD, Kambou SS (2013) The state of the research for health environment in the ministries of health of the Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS). Health Res Policy Syst 11:35. doi:10.1186/1478-4505-11-35 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

Ssengooba F, Atuyambe L, Kiwanuka SN, Puvanachandra P, Glass N, Hyder AA (2011) Research translation to inform national health policies: learning from multiple perspectives in Uganda. BMC Int Health Hum Rights 11(1):13. doi:10.1186/1472-698X/11/S1/S13 CrossRef

United Nations Secretary-General (2010) Global strategy for women’s and children’s health. http://www.who.int/pmnch/activities/advocacy/fulldocument_globalstrategy/en/. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Van Eerd D, Cole D, Keown K, Irvin E, Kramer D, Brenneman Gibson J, Kohn M, Mahood Q, Slack T, Amick BC, Phipps D, Garcia J, Morassaei S (2011) Report on knowledge transfer and exchange practices: a systematic review of the quality and types of instruments used to assess KTE implementation and impact. http://www.iwh.on.ca/sys-reviews/kte-evaluation-tools. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Walter I, Nutley SM, Davies HTO (2005) What works to promote evidence-based practice? A cross-sector review. Evid Policy 1(3):335–364. doi:10.1332/1744264054851612 CrossRef

Wanyama JN, Castelnuovo B, Robertson G, Newell K, Sempa JB, Kambugu A, Manabe YC, Colebunders R (2012) A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a board game on patients’ knowledge uptake of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Kampala, Uganda. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 59(3):253–258. doi:10.1097/QAI.0b013e31824373d5 CrossRefPubMed

Weiss CH (1998) Have we learned anything new about the use of evaluation? Am J Eval 19(1):21–33. doi:10.1177/109821409801900103 CrossRef

WHO (2013a) World health report 2013: research for universal health coverage. http://www.who.int/whr/2013/report/en/. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

WHO (2013b) World health statistics 2013. http://www.who.int/gho/publications/world_health_statistics/2013/en/. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Willms DG, Arratia MI, Makondesa P (2011) Can interfaith research partnerships develop new paradigms for condom use and HIV prevention? The implementation of conceptual events in Malawi results in a ‘spiritualised condom’. Sex Transm Infect 87(7):611–615. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2011-050045 PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed

World Bank (2013) Data: low-income countries. http://data.worldbank.org/income-level/LIC. Accessed 6 Mar 2015

Title: What research tells us about knowledge transfer strategies to improve public health in low-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Stéphanie Siron
Christian Dagenais
Valéry Ridde
Publication date: 01-11-2015
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0716-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

What research tells us about knowledge transfer strategies to improve public health in low-income countries: a scoping review

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 7/2015

Equity in maternal health care service utilization: a systematic review for developing countries

A systematic review of the health effects of prenatal exposure to disaster

Productive global health research from Africa: it takes more

Climate change: an opportunity for health promotion practitioners?

The mental health impact of bed bug infestations: a scoping review

Exposing concerns about vaccination in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review