title: Using research to influence sexual and reproductive health practice and implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa: a case-study analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research institutions and donor organizations are giving growing attention to how research evidence is communicated to influence policy. In the area of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV there is less weight given to understanding how evidence is successfully translated into practice. Policy issues in SRH can be controversial, influenced by political factors and shaped by context such as religion, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case-studies presented in this paper analyse findings from SRH/HIV research programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: 1) Maternal syphilis screening in Ghana, 2) Legislative change for sexual violence survivors In Ghana, 3) Male circumcision policy in South Africa, and 4) Male circumcision policy in Tanzania. Our analysis draws on two frameworks, Sumner et al's synthesis approach and Nutley's research use continuum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis emphasises the relationships and communications involved in using research to influence policy and practice and recognises a distinction whereby practice is not necessarily influenced as a result of policy change - especially in SRH - where there are complex interactions between policy actors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both frameworks demonstrate how policy networks, partnership and advocacy are critical in shaping the extent to which research is used and the importance of on-going and continuous links between a range of actors to maximize research impact on policy uptake and implementation. The case-studies illustrate the importance of long-term engagement between researchers and policy makers and how to use evidence to develop policies which are sensitive to context: political, cultural and practical.
authors.affiliation: International Health Research Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK. oht@liv.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tulloch
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mayaud
authors.forename: Yaw
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Adu-Sarkodie
authors.forename: Baafuor Kofi
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Opoku
authors.forename: Nana Oye
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Lithur
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sickle
authors.forename: Sinead
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delany-Moretlwe
authors.forename: Mwita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wambura
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Changalucha
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theobald