Promoting Evidence to Policy Link on the Control of Infectious Diseases of Poverty in Nigeria: Outcome of A Multi-Stakeholders Policy Dialogue.
BACKGROUND
In Nigeria, malaria, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis are among infectious diseases of poverty (IDP) with severe health burden and require effective policy strategies for their control. In this study, we investigated the value of policy brief and policy dialogue as excellent policymaking mechanisms that enable policymakers to adapt effective evidence informed policy for IDP control.


METHODS
A policy brief was developed on the control of malaria, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis and subjected to deliberations in a one-day multi-stakeholder policy dialogue held in Ebonyi State Nigeria. A modified cross sectional intervention study design was used in this investigation. Structured pre-tested questionnaires were used to evaluate the policy brief document and policy dialogue process at the end of the policy dialogue.


RESULTS
Forty-seven policymakers participated in the dialogue. An analysis of the response on the policy brief regarding context, different features of the problem; policy options and key implementation considerations indicated the mean ratings (MNRs) mostly ranged from 6.40-6.85 on 7 point scale. The over-all assessment of the policy brief had MNR at 6.54. The analysis of the response on the policy dialogue regarding the level of priority of policy issue, opportunity to discuss different features of the problem and options for addressing the problem, and the MNRs mostly ranged from 6.50-6.82. The overall assessment of the policy dialogue had MNR at 6.72.


CONCLUSIONS
Policy dialogues can allow research evidence to be considered together with views, experiences and tacit knowledge of policymakers and can enhance evidence-to-policy link.
Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria ; Health Policy & systems Research Project (Knowledge Translation Platform), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria.
Chigozie Jesse
CJ
Uneke
Health Policy & systems Research Project (Knowledge Translation Platform), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria ; Department of Banking & Finance, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Abel
A
Ebeh Ezeoha
Health Policy & systems Research Project (Knowledge Translation Platform), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria ; National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Henry
H
Uro-Chukwu
Health Policy & systems Research Project (Knowledge Translation Platform), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria ; Department of Paediatrics, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Chinonyelum Thecla
CT
Ezeonu
Health Policy & systems Research Project (Knowledge Translation Platform), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria ; Department of Applied Microbiology, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria.
Ogbonnaya
O
Ogbu
Health Policy & systems Research Project (Knowledge Translation Platform), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria ; Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Friday
F
Onwe
Health Policy & systems Research Project (Knowledge Translation Platform), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria ; Catholic Relief Services (Nigeria Program) Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Chima
C
Edoga
Infectious diseases; Policy brief; Policy dialogue; Policymaking; Poverty