Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
Independent Researcher, Antwerp, Belgium.
Health Res Policy Syst. 2019 Jan 31;17(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s12961-019-0413-6.
Evidence-informed Decision-making in Nutrition and Health (EVIDENT) is an international partnership that seeks to identify information needs in nutrition and health in Africa and build local capacity in knowledge management to help translate the best available evidence into context-appropriate recommendations aligned to the priorities of decision-makers. This study evaluates the extent to which EVIDENT achieved its intended activities, documents the lessons learned and draws on these lessons learned to inform future activities of EVIDENT, as well as in evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) in nutrition overall.
Purposive and snowball sampling were used to identify participants that were either directly or indirectly involved with EVIDENT. An analytical framework of five key elements was developed to guide data collection from EVIDENT's documentation, in-depth interviews (n = 20), online surveys (n = 26) and a participatory discussion. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded in NVivo 11, using deductive thematic content analysis and a phenomenological approach. Online surveys were analysed using Stata 14. Data were triangulated to address both objectives under each element of the analytical framework.
EVIDENT succeeded in establishing a collaborative partnership, within which it delivered four short courses in EIDM. This capacity complemented case study activities in four partner African countries where EIDM processes were implemented and assessed. Identified barriers to these processes included little experience in EIDM, difficulties in engaging stakeholders, challenging local environments (e.g. donor influence, bureaucracy, inaccessibility to scientific research, poor internet connectivity), and limited time and funding. However, EVIDENT activities were driven by a local need for EIDM, a sheer interest and commitment to the cause, and the opportunity for the Global North and South to work together and build relationships. Future activities of EVIDENT, and EIDM in nutrition overall, should focus on sustained capacity-building in EIDM processes, leadership and functional skills across the Global South, investment in stakeholder engagement, context-specific EIDM, enhanced communication and linking, and strengthening relationships with existing stakeholder organisations.
In its first 3 years, EVIDENT developed and strengthened partnership, capacity and visibility on EIDM in Africa. Innovative and long-term capacity-building, dedicated leadership, further stakeholder engagement and sustainable financing, are needed for future activities of EVIDENT and EIDM in nutrition.
证据启发式决策在营养与健康（EVIDENT）是一个国际合作伙伴关系，旨在确定在营养与健康领域的信息需求，并建立知识管理方面的本地能力，以帮助将最佳现有证据转化为与决策者的优先事项相一致的具有地方特色的建议。本研究评估了 EVIDENT 实现其预期活动的程度，记录了所吸取的经验教训，并借鉴这些经验教训为 EVIDENT 的未来活动以及整个营养领域的证据启发式决策（EIDM）提供信息。
采用目的抽样和滚雪球抽样方法，确定直接或间接参与 EVIDENT 的参与者。制定了一个包含五个关键要素的分析框架，以指导从 EVIDENT 文件、深入访谈（n=20）、在线调查（n=26）和参与式讨论中收集数据。访谈逐字转录并在 NVivo 11 中进行编码，使用演绎主题内容分析和现象学方法。在线调查使用 Stata 14 进行分析。数据通过三角测量进行了汇总，以解决分析框架的每个要素下的两个目标。
EVIDENT 成功建立了一个合作伙伴关系，在该伙伴关系中，它举办了四期 EIDM 短期课程。这一能力补充了在四个非洲伙伴国家进行的 EIDM 过程的实施和评估的案例研究活动。这些过程面临的障碍包括 EIDM 经验有限、难以吸引利益攸关方、当地环境困难（例如，捐助者的影响、官僚主义、难以获取科学研究、互联网连接不良）以及时间和资金有限。然而，EVIDENT 的活动是由对 EIDM 的本地需求驱动的，是对这项事业的纯粹兴趣和承诺，以及南北双方合作和建立关系的机会。EVIDENT 的未来活动以及整个营养领域的 EIDM 应该专注于 EIDM 过程、整个南方的领导力和功能技能、对利益攸关方参与的投资、具体情况的 EIDM、加强沟通和联系以及加强与现有利益攸关方组织的关系的持续能力建设。
在其成立的头 3 年中，EVIDENT 在非洲发展和加强了 EIDM 方面的伙伴关系、能力和知名度。EVIDENT 和营养领域的 EIDM 需要创新和长期的能力建设、专注的领导力、进一步吸引利益攸关方以及可持续的融资。
