Mental and neurological health research priorities setting in developing countries.
BACKGROUND
A multi-region consultation process designed to generate locally produced regional and global research priorities on mental and neurological health in low- and middle-income countries.


METHODS
Between 2003 and 2005, priority setting exercises on MNH research, using the systematic combined approach matrix (CAM) were held in the six regions of the developing world. One regional meeting per region was convened, and a global meeting was organized before and after the regional exercises.


RESULTS
During regional meetings, regional agendas were created listing both research priorities and local problems in MNH. During global meetings, a global research agenda was established and four crucial areas of research priorities were identified: awareness and advocacy, enhancement of research capacity, training for service delivery, and development of evidence based policy.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined matrix approach enabled the development of regional and global MNH research agendas, derived from bottom up consultations within and between low- and middle-income countries. Collaboration between regions with similar priorities was instituted. Such research agendas are designed to assist policy-makers and donors in the allocation of scarce resources, but they require regular review to reflect changing needs.
Khandelwal
Sudhir
S
Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Avodé
Gilbert
G
Baingana
Florence
F
Conde
Bernado
B
Cruz
Marcelo
M
Deva
Parameshvara
P
Dumas
Michel
M
Gulbinat
Walter
W
Lopez
Carmen
C
Mayeya
John
J
Mubbashar
Malik H
MH
Mohit
Ahmad
A
Ndeti
David
D
Puras
Dainius
D
Saeed
Khalid
K
Schilder
Klaas
K
Silberberg
Donald
D
Tomov
Toma
T
Townsend
Clare
C
Iemmi
Valentina
V
Jenkins
Rachel
R
D003256:Community Participation; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014943:Global Health; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics; D006292:Health Priorities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007391:International Cooperation; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012106:Research; D012109:Research Support as Topic