Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview study
Objectives Researchers at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) carried out knowledge translation (KT) activities to support policy-makers as the Kenyan Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the usefulness of these activities to identify the facilitators and barrie...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2022-06-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e059501.full |
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| author | Edwine Barasa Benjamin Tsofa Mike English Sassy Molyneux Dorcas Mwikali Kamuya Fatuma Hassan Guleid Alex Njeru Joy Kiptim Emelda Okiro David Kariuki |
| author_facet | Edwine Barasa Benjamin Tsofa Mike English Sassy Molyneux Dorcas Mwikali Kamuya Fatuma Hassan Guleid Alex Njeru Joy Kiptim Emelda Okiro David Kariuki |
| author_sort | Edwine Barasa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives Researchers at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) carried out knowledge translation (KT) activities to support policy-makers as the Kenyan Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the usefulness of these activities to identify the facilitators and barriers to KT and suggest actions that facilitate KT in similar settings.Design The study adopted a qualitative interview study design.Setting and participants Researchers at KWTRP in Kenya who were involved in KT activities during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=6) were selected to participate in key informant interviews to describe their experience. In addition, the policy-makers with whom these researchers engaged were invited to participate (n=11). Data were collected from March 2021 to August 2021.Analysis A thematic analysis approach was adopted using a predetermined framework to develop a coding structure consisting of the core thematic areas. Any other theme that emerged in the coding process was included.Results Both groups reported that the KT activities increased evidence availability and accessibility, enhanced policy-makers’ motivation to use evidence, improved capacity to use research evidence and strengthened relationships. Policy-makers shared that a key facilitator of this was the knowledge products shared and the regular interaction with researchers. Both groups mentioned that a key barrier was the timeliness of generating evidence, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. They felt it was important to institutionalise KT to improve readiness to respond to public health emergencies.Conclusion This study provides a real-world example of the use of KT during a public health crisis. It further highlights the need to institutionalise KT in research and policy institutions in African countries to respond readily to public health emergencies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-876e0f34fd6d4b6486e2706695189ed9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-876e0f34fd6d4b6486e2706695189ed92025-01-24T18:50:15ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552022-06-0112610.1136/bmjopen-2021-059501Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview studyEdwine Barasa0Benjamin Tsofa1Mike English2Sassy Molyneux3Dorcas Mwikali Kamuya4Fatuma Hassan Guleid5Alex Njeru6Joy Kiptim7Emelda Okiro8David Kariuki9Health Economics Research Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, KenyaHealth Policy and Systems Research, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya1 Health Services Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, KenyaCentre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKHealth Systems and Research Ethics, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, KenyaPolicy Engagement & Knowledge Translation Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, KenyaPolicy Engagement & Knowledge Translation Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme Nairobi, Nairobi, KenyaPolicy Engagement & Knowledge Translation Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme Nairobi, Nairobi, KenyaNuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UKDepartment of Health Policy and Research, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, KenyaObjectives Researchers at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) carried out knowledge translation (KT) activities to support policy-makers as the Kenyan Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the usefulness of these activities to identify the facilitators and barriers to KT and suggest actions that facilitate KT in similar settings.Design The study adopted a qualitative interview study design.Setting and participants Researchers at KWTRP in Kenya who were involved in KT activities during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=6) were selected to participate in key informant interviews to describe their experience. In addition, the policy-makers with whom these researchers engaged were invited to participate (n=11). Data were collected from March 2021 to August 2021.Analysis A thematic analysis approach was adopted using a predetermined framework to develop a coding structure consisting of the core thematic areas. Any other theme that emerged in the coding process was included.Results Both groups reported that the KT activities increased evidence availability and accessibility, enhanced policy-makers’ motivation to use evidence, improved capacity to use research evidence and strengthened relationships. Policy-makers shared that a key facilitator of this was the knowledge products shared and the regular interaction with researchers. Both groups mentioned that a key barrier was the timeliness of generating evidence, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. They felt it was important to institutionalise KT to improve readiness to respond to public health emergencies.Conclusion This study provides a real-world example of the use of KT during a public health crisis. It further highlights the need to institutionalise KT in research and policy institutions in African countries to respond readily to public health emergencies.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e059501.full |
| spellingShingle | Edwine Barasa Benjamin Tsofa Mike English Sassy Molyneux Dorcas Mwikali Kamuya Fatuma Hassan Guleid Alex Njeru Joy Kiptim Emelda Okiro David Kariuki Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview study BMJ Open |
| title | Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview study |
| title_full | Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview study |
| title_fullStr | Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview study |
| title_short | Experience of Kenyan researchers and policy-makers with knowledge translation during COVID-19: a qualitative interview study |
| title_sort | experience of kenyan researchers and policy makers with knowledge translation during covid 19 a qualitative interview study |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e059501.full |
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