Use of Evidence in Policy Development by Policy Makers and Evidence Generators at the Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum - Sudan

Abstract Background Despite the increased emphasis placed on the use of evidence for policy development, relatively few initiatives have been developed to support evidence-informed decision-making, especially in West Africa. Moreover, studies examining the conditions under which policy-makers use research-based evidence are still scarce, but they show that their attitudes and opinions about research are one of the main determinants of such use. In February 2017, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Health planned to create a unit to promote evidence-informed decision-making within the ministry. Before the unit was set up, documenting the attitudes towards research at the highest levels of his Ministry appeared profitable to the unit’s planning. Method Individual interviews were conducted by the author with 14 actors positioned to consider evidence during decision-making from the Burkina Faso’s Minister of health cabinet. An interview grid was used to explore several themes such as attitudes towards research, obstacles and facilitators to research use, example of research use in decision-making and finally, ways to increase decision-makers’ participation in knowledge transfer activities. Interviews were partially transcribed and analysed by the author. Results The results show a mixed attitude towards research and relatively little indication of research use reported by respondents. Important obstacles were identified: evidence inaccessibility, lack of implementation guidelines, absence of clear communication strategy and studies’ lack of relevance for decision-making. Many suggestions were proposed such as raising awareness, improving access and research communication and prioritizing interactions with researchers. Respondents agree with the low participation of decision-makers in knowledge transfer activities: more leadership from the senior officials was suggested and greater awareness of the importance of their presence. Conclusions The conclusion presents avenues for reflection and action to increase the potential impact of the knowledge transfer unit planned within the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso. This innovative initiative will be impactful if the obstacles identified in this study and policy-makers’ preferences and needs are taken into account during its development and implementation.

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Insights from the evaluation of a provincial healthy eating strategy in Nova Scotia, Canada

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012004041 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 1870-1878

Author(s):

S Meaghan Sim ◽

Sara FL Kirk

Keyword(s):

Nova Scotia ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Policy Development ◽

Strategy Implementation ◽

Canadian Province ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Health Model ◽

Document Review ◽

Depth Interviews

AbstractObjectiveHealthy Eating Nova Scotia represents the first provincial comprehensive healthy eating strategy in Canada and a strategy that is framed within a population-health model. Five years after strategy launch, our objective was to evaluate Healthy Eating Nova Scotia to determine perceptions of strategy implementation and strategy outputs. The focus of the current paper is on the findings of this evaluation.DesignWe conducted an evaluation of the strategy through three activities that included a document review, survey of key stakeholders and in-depth interviews with key strategy informants. The findings from each of the activities were integrated to determine what has worked well with strategy implementation, what could be improved and what outputs have resulted.SettingThe evaluation was conducted in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.ParticipantsParticipants for this evaluation included survey respondents (n 120) and key informants (n 16). A total of 156 documents were also reviewed.ResultsSignificant investments have been made towards inter-sectoral partnerships and resourcing that has provided the necessary leadership and momentum for the strategy. Policy development has been leveraged through the strategy primarily in the health and education sectors and is perceived as a visible success. Clarity of human resource roles and funding within the context of a provincial strategy may be beneficial for continued strategy implementation, as is expansion of policy development.ConclusionsKnown to be the first evaluation of its kind, these findings and related considerations will be of interest to policy makers developing and implementing similar strategies in their own jurisdictions.

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Understanding needs and barriers to using geospatial tools for public health policymaking in China

Geospatial health ◽

10.4081/gh.2018.594 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dohyeong Kim ◽

Yingyuan Zhang ◽

Chang Kil Lee

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Policy ◽

Policy Development ◽

Policy Making ◽

Geographical Information Systems ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Adoption And Implementation ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Geospatial Tools

Despite growing popularity of using geographical information systems and geospatial tools in public health fields, these tools are only rarely implemented in health policy management in China. This study examines the barriers that could prevent policy-makers from applying such tools to actual managerial processes related to public health problems that could be assisted by such approaches, e.g. evidence-based policy-making. A questionnaire-based survey of 127 health-related experts and other stakeholders in China revealed that there is a consensus on the needs and demands for the use of geospatial tools, which shows that there is a more unified opinion on the matter than so far reported. Respondents pointed to lack of communication and collaboration among stakeholders as the most significant barrier to the implementation of geospatial tools. Comparison of survey results to those emanating from a similar study in Bangladesh revealed different priorities concerning the use of geospatial tools between the two countries. In addition, the follow-up in-depth interviews highlighted the political culture specific to China as a critical barrier to adopting new tools in policy development. Other barriers included concerns over the limited awareness of the availability of advanced geospatial tools. Taken together, these findings can facilitate a better understanding among policy-makers and practitioners of the challenges and opportunities for widespread adoption and implementation of a geospatial approach to public health policy-making in China.

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Renewable Energy (RE) and Theory on Business Sustainability: Malaysia Policy Development

International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology - Regular Issue ◽

10.35940/ijeat.f1110.0986s319 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (6S3) ◽

pp. 623-627 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Policy Development ◽

Critical Analysis ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Future Generation ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Business Sustainability ◽

Corporate Managers ◽

Development Plans

Sustainable energy is described as energy that meets the present demand without jeopardizing the needs of future generation. Sustainable development of energy has become the main focus of recent national policies, strategies and development plans of many countries. Renewable energy (RE) is brought to play as it is deemed sustainable and has the potential to thrive in the vastly competitive market of contemporary business. Growing deployment of RE resources in businesses will provide an impetus to accelerate the drive towards clean energy as well as interest and funding for research and development works. In Malaysia, RE was introduced into the energy mix through the Five Fuel Diversification Policy in 2000 and its share has been growing ever since. This article offers a critical analysis of the developing theories linking environmental sustainability to businesses practice, and discusses their implications on Malaysia’s policy development toward RE. The extensive review presented in this work offers a useful reference for policy makers, corporate managers and researchers who have vested interest in business sustainability and renewable energy related studies.

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Women’s entrepreneurship policy: a 13 nation cross-country comparison

International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship ◽

10.1108/ijge-07-2017-0036 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 206-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Colette Henry ◽

Barbara Orser ◽

Susan Coleman ◽

Lene Foss

Keyword(s):

Policy Development ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Future Research ◽

Entrepreneurship Policy ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Content Type ◽

Policy Practice ◽

Women’S Entrepreneurship ◽

The Status ◽

Women's Entrepreneurship

Purpose Government attention to women’s entrepreneurship has increased in the past two decades; however, there are few cross-cultural studies to inform policy development. This paper aims to draw on gender and institutional theory to report on the status of female-focused small and medium-sized enterprises/entrepreneurship policies and to ask how – and to what extent – do women’s entrepreneurship policies differ among countries? Design/methodology/approach A common methodological approach is used to identify gaps in the policy-practice nexus. Findings The study highlights countries where policy is weak but practice is strong, and vice versa. Research limitations/implications The study’s data were restricted to policy documents and observations of practices and initiatives on the ground. Practical implications The findings have implications for policy makers in respect of support for women’s entrepreneurship. Recommendations for future research are advanced. Originality/value The paper contributes to extant knowledge and understanding about entrepreneurship policy, specifically in relation to women’s entrepreneurship. It is also one of the few studies to use a common methodological approach to explore and compare women’s entrepreneurship policies in 13 countries.

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Responding to Inmates' Health Needs in Zambia: A Policy Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-403116/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth K. Muchinda ◽

Joseph Mumba Zulu ◽

Chrispin Mweemba ◽

Chileshe Chisela ◽

Wilbroad Mutale

Keyword(s):

Policy Development ◽

Quality Care ◽

Implementation Process ◽

Good Health ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Study Data ◽

Ministry Of Health ◽

Data Coding ◽

Key Policy ◽

Barriers To Implementation

Abstract Introduction{Fazel, 2011 #25}Worldwide, the rates of infectious and non-infectious diseases in prisons is generally higher than that of the general population. Although Zambia has adopted international and local guidelines to address prisoners’ health, the disease burden remains high in Zambian prisons. This study therefore explored barriers to translation and implementation of the legislative acts and guidelines that deal with health for inmates in correctional facilities. MethodsThis was a case study. Data was gathered through key informant interviews with stakeholders supporting inmates’ health in Zambia. These included the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Justice, Zambia Correctional Service, NGOs and UN agencies. The policy triangle was used to guide data collection, organization and analysis. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Nvivo software version 12 was used for data coding. ResultsContext: There was political will and commitment to address inmate’s health in Zambia but was constrained by inadequate resources, infrastructure and trained Health Care Workers. Actors: Many key actors were not aware of key policy documents and guidelines addressing inmates’ health in Zambia. Coordination among partners was poor and efforts were underway to address lack of coordination in providing good health services to inmates. The role of the Ministry of health, as the lead partner, was emphasised going forward. Process: It was revealed that the policy development and implementation process was not consultative. There was weak inter-ministerial collaboration and lack of completion of the domestication process of the international guidelines, and this resulted in poor coordination and implementation of legal provision on inmates’ health.ConclusionDespite the existence of key legal and policy guidelines to address prisoners’ health in Zambia, there remain several barriers to implementation. These include lack of resources, lack of awareness and poor coordination among partners working in this sector. It will be important for the Ministry of Health to provide leadership and resources to raise awareness about prisoners’ health and a policy provision to support this process. Resources and infrastructure will be key to addressing the current challenges related to providing quality care for inmates in Zambia.

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Continuity and Change: Special Education Policy Development in Toronto Public Schools, 1945 to the Present

Teachers College Record ◽

10.1177/016146811611800203 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 118 (2) ◽

pp. 1-42

Author(s):

Jason Ellis ◽

Paul Axelrod

Keyword(s):

Special Education ◽

Education Policy ◽

School Board ◽

Inclusive Education ◽

Policy Change ◽

Policy Development ◽

Developmental Trajectory ◽

Education Policies ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Special Education Policy

Background/Context It is frequently assumed that changes in special education policies since 1945 have come mostly from “landmark research” or actions of a few “pioneers.” We argue in this article that there have been many different sources of change, including legislation, court rulings, activism, and even shifts in socially and historically constructed categories of ability. In contrast to the contention that there has been “a gradual but steady progression towards the present inclusive education,” we argue that remarkable continuity has characterized certain elements of policy as well. The article identifies general trends in special education policy development historically that can help to inform the most current thinking about policy change in special and inclusive education. Purpose How has special education policy developed historically? What factors have been involved? How can historical research help education researchers, policy makers, school personnel, and others to deepen their understanding of the development of policy? The Toronto public school system is examined. The developmental trajectory of special education policy in Canada's largest urban school board generally resembles the development of policy in other large American and Canadian cities. The period from 1945 to the present was selected because the shifting character of special education policy across this broadsweep of time is not well understood. Research Design This qualitative study employs historical analysis. It draws on archival documents, school board and provincial government records, and pertinent secondary sources. Conclusions/Recommendations There are a few identifiable general trends in special education policy development historically. Prior to 1970, local school officials were empowered to make many changes in special education policy; since 1970, this ability has been eroded in favor of centralized policy making, with parents and others possessing some ability to influence policy change. Today, policy makers must balance different contextual factors and stakeholder interests that have developed over time, not least of all the interests of teachers who have been important partners to policy implementation. The degree of “policy talk” about inclusion, and about a social model of disability, has exceeded the degree to which either has actually been implemented. Rather, a continuum of services model that hybridizes segregated and inclusive settings continues today to characterize special education policies, as it has since the 1970s. Money matters in special education policy, especially when it is tied to specific policy options and can therefore influence local policy decisions, but also depending on whether the power to raise and disburse funds is held locally or centrally.

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Evolution of models to support community and policy action with science: Balancing pastoral livelihoods and wildlife conservation in savannas of East Africa

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.0900313106 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 113 (17) ◽

pp. 4579-4584 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

R. S. Reid ◽

D. Nkedianye ◽

M. Y. Said ◽

D. Kaelo ◽

M. Neselle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

East Africa ◽

Policy Maker ◽

Policy Development ◽

Wildlife Conservation ◽

Scientific Information ◽

Policy Action ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Creation

We developed a “continual engagement” model to better integrate knowledge from policy makers, communities, and researchers with the goal of promoting more effective action to balance poverty alleviation and wildlife conservation in 4 pastoral ecosystems of East Africa. The model involved the creation of a core boundary-spanning team, including community facilitators, a policy facilitator, and transdisciplinary researchers, responsible for linking with a wide range of actors from local to global scales. Collaborative researcher−facilitator community teams integrated local and scientific knowledge to help communities and policy makers improve herd quality and health, expand biodiversity payment schemes, develop land-use plans, and fully engage together in pastoral and wildlife policy development. This model focused on the creation of hybrid scientific−local knowledge highly relevant to community and policy maker needs. The facilitation team learned to be more effective by focusing on noncontroversial livelihood issues before addressing more difficult wildlife issues, using strategic and periodic engagement with most partners instead of continual engagement, and reducing costs by providing new scientific information only when deemed essential. We conclude by examining the role of facilitation in redressing asymmetries in power in researcher−community−policy maker teams, the role of individual values and character in establishing trust, and how to sustain knowledge-action links when project funding ends.

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A Data-informed Public Health Policy-Makers Platform

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17093271 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (9) ◽

pp. 3271 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dario Brdarić ◽

Senka Samardžić ◽

Ivana Mihin Huskić ◽

Giorgos Dritsakis ◽

Jadran Sessa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Policy Development ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

Policy Development Process ◽

Key Factor ◽

Effective Public Health ◽

Data Informed ◽

Health Policymaking

Hearing loss is a disease exhibiting a growing trend due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the mundane exposure to the noise and ever-increasing size of the older population. In the framework of a public health policymaking process, modeling of the hearing loss disease based on data is a key factor in alleviating the issues related to the disease and in issuing effective public health policies. First, the paper describes the steps of the data-driven policymaking process. Afterward, a scenario along with the part of the proposed platform responsible for supporting policymaking are presented. With the aim of demonstrating the capabilities and usability of the platform for the policy-makers, some initial results of preliminary analytics are presented in the framework of a policy-making process. Ultimately, the utility of the approach is validated throughout the results of the survey which was presented to the health system policy-makers involved in the policy development process in Croatia.

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How is Crown forest policy developed? Probing New Brunswick's protected areas strategy

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc83689-5 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 83 (5) ◽

pp. 689-698 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bill Ashton ◽

Ted Needham ◽

Tom Beckley

Keyword(s):

New Brunswick ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Policy Development ◽

Social Power ◽

Forest Policy ◽

Provincial Government ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Stakeholder Groups ◽

Protected Natural Areas ◽

Crown Forest

To determine how forest policy is developed, the perceptions of senior policy-makers involved in developing the New Brunswick protected natural areas policy were examined. They represented three main stakeholder groups: the New Brunswick provincial government, forest industry, and environmental organizations. Three analytical methods revealed the evolution of events over time, recurring themes, and the use of social power. The results suggest that development of forest policy is facilitated when both forest science and human values are taken into account, when information is shared among stakeholders, and when a "win–win" solution is sought. Key words: forest policy development, New Brunswick, power, protected areas policy, qualitative research, stakeholders

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