Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders

Dirk R Essink; Kethmany Ratsavong; Esmee Bally; Jessica Fraser; Sengdavy Xaypadith; Manithong Vonglokham; Jacqueline Ew Broerse; Sengchanh Kounnavong

doi:10.1080/16549716.2020.1777000

Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders

Dirk R Essink
, Kethmany Ratsavong
, Esmee Bally
, Jessica Fraser
, Sengdavy Xaypadith
, Manithong Vonglokham
, Jacqueline Ew Broerse
, Sengchanh Kounnavong

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Currently the health research system in Lao PDR is fragmented and largely donor led. Capacity among national public health institutes is limited to select priority research questions for funding.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this capacity building and practice-oriented study is to describe the process and outcome of the first National Health Research Agenda for Lao PDR and how the agenda contributes to institutional capacity of the Ministry of Health, in order to contribute to evidence-informed public health policy making.

METHOD: This activity used a mixed-methods approach. The overall design is based on principles of the interactive Learning and Action approach and consists out of 6 phases: (1) identification of needs, (2) shared analysis and integration, (3) nation-wide prioritization of research domains, (4) exploring specific research questions, (5) prioritization of research avenues, (6) dialogue and planning for action. The process involved interviews with experts in health policy and research (n = 42), telephone-based survey with district, provincial and national health staff (n = 135), a two-round Delphi consultation with experts in health policy and research (n = 33), and a workshop with policymakers, researchers, international organisations and civil society (n = 45) were held to gather data and conduct shared analysis.

RESULTS: 11 research domains were identified and prioritised: Health-seeking behaviour; Health system research; Health service provision; Mother and child health (MCH); Sexual & reproductive health; Health education; Non-communicable diseases (NCDs); Irrational drug use; Communicable diseases (CDs); Road traffic accidents; Mental health. Within these domains over 200 unique research questions were identified.

CONCLUSION: Our approach led to a comprehensive, inclusive, public health agenda for Lao PDR to realise better informed health policies. Questions on the agenda are action-oriented, originating in a desire to understand the problem so that immediate improvements can be made. The agenda is used within the MoH as a tool to fund and approve research.

Original language	English
Article number	1777000
Pages (from-to)	6-16
Number of pages	11
Journal	Global Health Action
Volume	13
Issue number	sup2
Early online date	3 Aug 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1777000
Publication status	Published - 2020

Bibliographical note

Vol.13, i. sup2: LEARN: Sexual Reproductive Health, ANC and Nutrition

Funding

This research was financially supported by the EU funded LEARN program coordinated by the MCNV-Laos. This research was financially supported by the EU funded LEARN programme coordinated by the MCNV-Laos. We acknowledge support from Professor Pamela Wright for her valuable comments, and appreciation goes to Khanphoungeune Volaot, Ian Bromage, Suzanna Lipscombe and Leonie Venroij for their support in the organisation of events. We further thank our colleagues from the University of Health Sciences Laos and the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute for their help in collecting the data. We also thank all respondents that participated in all phases of the study. This research was financially supported by the EU funded LEARN programme coordinated by the MCNV-Laos. We acknowledge support from Professor Pamela Wright for her valuable comments, and appreciation goes to Khanphoungeune Volaot, Ian Bromage, Suzanna Lipscombe and Leonie Venroij for their support in the organisation of events. We further thank our colleagues from the University of Health Sciences Laos and the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute for their help in collecting the data. We also thank all respondents that participated in all phases of the study.

Funders
University of Health Sciences Laos
European Commission

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5 Gender Equality

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10.1080/16549716.2020.1777000

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Cite this

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title = "Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Currently the health research system in Lao PDR is fragmented and largely donor led. Capacity among national public health institutes is limited to select priority research questions for funding.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this capacity building and practice-oriented study is to describe the process and outcome of the first National Health Research Agenda for Lao PDR and how the agenda contributes to institutional capacity of the Ministry of Health, in order to contribute to evidence-informed public health policy making.METHOD: This activity used a mixed-methods approach. The overall design is based on principles of the interactive Learning and Action approach and consists out of 6 phases: (1) identification of needs, (2) shared analysis and integration, (3) nation-wide prioritization of research domains, (4) exploring specific research questions, (5) prioritization of research avenues, (6) dialogue and planning for action. The process involved interviews with experts in health policy and research (n = 42), telephone-based survey with district, provincial and national health staff (n = 135), a two-round Delphi consultation with experts in health policy and research (n = 33), and a workshop with policymakers, researchers, international organisations and civil society (n = 45) were held to gather data and conduct shared analysis.RESULTS: 11 research domains were identified and prioritised: Health-seeking behaviour; Health system research; Health service provision; Mother and child health (MCH); Sexual \& reproductive health; Health education; Non-communicable diseases (NCDs); Irrational drug use; Communicable diseases (CDs); Road traffic accidents; Mental health. Within these domains over 200 unique research questions were identified.CONCLUSION: Our approach led to a comprehensive, inclusive, public health agenda for Lao PDR to realise better informed health policies. Questions on the agenda are action-oriented, originating in a desire to understand the problem so that immediate improvements can be made. The agenda is used within the MoH as a tool to fund and approve research.",

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AU - Fraser, Jessica

AU - Xaypadith, Sengdavy

AU - Vonglokham, Manithong

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Developing a national health research agenda for Lao PDR: prioritising the research needs of stakeholders

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Persistent URL (handle)

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