Identifying barriers in the malaria control policymaking process in East Africa: insights from stakeholders and a structured literature review.
BACKGROUND
The complexity of malaria and public health policy responses presents social, financial, cultural, and institutional barriers to policymaking at multiple stages in the policy process. These barriers reduce the effectiveness of health policy in achieving national goals.


METHODS
We conducted a structured literature review to characterize malaria policy barriers, and we engaged stakeholders through surveys and workshops in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. We compared common barriers presented in the scientific literature to barriers reported by malaria policy stakeholders.


RESULTS
The barriers identified in the structured literature review differ from those described in policymaker surveys. The malaria policy literature emphasizes barriers in the implementation stage of policymaking such as those posed by health systems and specific intervention tools. Stakeholder responses placed greater emphasis on the political nature of policymaking, the disconnect between research and policymaking, and the need for better intersectoral collaboration.


CONCLUSIONS
Identifying barriers to effective malaria control activities provides opportunities to improve health and other outcomes. Such barriers can occur at multiple stages and scales. Employing a stakeholder - designed decision tool framework has the potential to improve existing policies and ultimately the functioning of malaria related institutions. Furthermore, improved coordination between malaria research and policymaking would improve the quality and efficiency of interventions leading to better population health.
Nicholas School of the Environment & Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. cjp2@duke.edu.
Christopher
C
Paul
Nicholas School of the Environment & Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. kramer@duke.edu.
Randall
R
Kramer
Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. adriane.lesser@duke.edu.
Adriane
A
Lesser
Centre for Sustainable Malaria Control and School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, & International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya. cmutero@icipe.org.
Clifford
C
Mutero
Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. mlm@rice.edu.
Marie Lynn
ML
Miranda
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, USA. katied@ucar.edu.
Katherine
K
Dickinson
D000288:Administrative Personnel; D000351:Africa, Eastern; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011050:Policy Making; D011640:Public Policy