What challenges does mental and neurological health research face in Latin American countries?
OBJECTIVE
The World Health Organization Atlas Project identified important deficiencies in world mental and neurological health resources. These deficiencies, especially evident in low and middle-income countries, can be overcome by improving research capacity. The objective of this study is to assess the status of mental and neurological research in Latin American countries and identify the main difficulties encountered in conducting research, publishing results, and shaping health policies, interventions, and programs.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 key informants from 13 Latin American countries.


RESULTS
Participants reported that production of mental and neurological research in Latin American countries is low. Lack of financial and human resources, including lack of support from government agencies, were identified as the main factors contributing to the dearth of local research. The few research projects that do take place in Latin American countries are often funded at researchers' personal expense. Few policies, interventions, or programs are generated from research results. To address these deficiencies, participants called for training in research methodology, mechanisms for identifying funding opportunities, and greater recognition of their research products.


CONCLUSIONS
Researchers and stakeholders recognize the need to mobilize local and international efforts aimed at strengthening research capacity and results implementation. This will lead to an overall optimization of mental and neurological research in the region.
Fiestas
Fabián
F
Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. ffiestas@upch.edu.pe
Gallo
Carla
C
Poletti
Giovanni
G
Bustamante
Inés
I
Alarcón
Renato D
RD
Mari
Jair de Jesus
Jde J
Razzouk
Denise
D
Mazzotti
Guido
G
D015706:Bibliometrics; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007843:Latin America; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009462:Neurology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*