Promoting the Use of Reproductive Health Results

1
Promoting the Use of Reproductive Health Results

• Towards greater synergy

2
Some refocusing of the topic

• Sexual health research not reproductive health
  results
• Critical perspective on events, not just advice
  on how to do it better

3
Dominant model

• Rich countries identify problems
• Rich countries send researchers and intervention
  specialists to poorer ones
• Poorer countries collaborate with richer
  countries
• Richer countries learn
• Richer countries transfer this learning to
  poorer ones
• Poorer countries are invited to participate in
  further research

4
Some problems and difficulties

• Are the correct problems addressed?
• In a way that builds capacity?
• And is a way which is sustainable?
• Does such research lead to the development of
  context appropriate explanations, programmes and
  interventions?
• Who benefits most?

5
An alternative approach

• Work collectively to identify problems and
  issues
• Frame within local terms
• Jointly develop projects and approaches
• On site training and support
• Joint analysis and dissemination
• Transfer in both directions

6
Role of richer countries

• Facilitate identification and conceptualisation
  of issues of concern
• Support development of context specific protocols
  and approaches
• Facilitate access to financial and other
  resources
• Provide training and support where needed
• Assist in analysis and international
  dissemination of findings and best practice

7
Some problems and challenges

• Government and official denial
• Traditional and religious beliefs
• The interface between enquiry, advocacy and
  social policy
• The role of mediators
• Research as prevarication
• Maintaining a critical perspective

8
Some final comments .

• How best can the research-policy interface be
  bridged?
• What are the qualities we should be encouraging
  in researchers?
• What is the role of research mediators?
• How can we cultivate an informed yet critical
  humility on the part of researchers?