title: Overview of national health research systems in sub-Saharan Africa: results of a questionnaire-based survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the state of national health research systems of countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire-based survey METHODS: Structured questionnaires were used to solicit health research systems' relevant information from key informants in each country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six Member States of the WHO African Region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Key informants from the ministry of health in each country, with the support of WHO Country Offices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence of national health research policy or strategy, priority setting and ethical review of research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 44 responding countries, 39 (89%) reportedly had an official national health policy and 37 (84%) had a strategic health plan. A total of 16 (36%) countries reportedly had a functional national health research governance mechanism, nine of which had clear terms of reference; nine (20%) countries had a functional national health research management forum. Functional ethical review committees were reported in 33 countries (75%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  National health research systems were weak in the countries assessed. Significantly more resources should be allocated to strengthening these systems.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, PO Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo mbondjiebonguep@who.int.
authors.forename: Peter Ebongue
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Mbondji
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, PO Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo.
authors.forename: Derege
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, PO Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zielinski
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, PO Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo.
authors.forename: Wenceslas
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kouvividila
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, PO Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo.
authors.forename: Issa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sanou
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, PO Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo.
authors.forename: Paul-Samson
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Lusamba-Dikassa
keywords: evidence; health research; health research in Africa; health systems; research plans; research systems