Lessons learned from Evidence-Informed Decision-Making in Nutrition & Health (EVIDENT) in Africa: a project evaluation
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Date
2019
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health Research Policy and Systems
Abstract
Background: 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 for 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.
Methods: Purposive and snowball sampling were used to identify participants who 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 analyzed using Stata 14. Data were triangulated to address both
objectives under each element of the analytical framework.
Results: 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 organizations.
Conclusions: 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.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Evidence-informed decision-making, low- and middle-income countries, evaluation, lessons learned, capacity-building, leadership, stakeholder engagement, contextualisation, network