title: The Ethiopian initiative to build sustainable capacity for operational research: overview and lessons learned.
abstract: METHODS
  Programme-based operational research is instrumental for the enhancement of tuberculosis (TB) control. In 2012, the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health launched an initiative for capacity building in operational research (OR).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop sustainable capacity for OR in Ethiopia in a multiyear initiative.
  
  
  METHODS
  The initiative was developed in collaboration with regional, national and international experts. Teams representing regions in Ethiopia conducted OR addressing national and regional priorities. To make use of local expertise and increase sustainability, a domestic mentor training programme was included. Existing capacity was enhanced through a competitive grant scheme providing TB researchers with financial and technical support. The Ethiopian Tuberculosis Research Advisory Committee was also supported in its functions. Regional ethics review bodies were strengthened or established where they did not exist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two people were trained and conducted 13 OR projects, of which six have been published to date. In addition, eight protocols were supported through grants. Ethics review bodies were strengthened in all regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The initiative trained participants from all regions and succeeded in the completion of all stages of the OR process. The success of the programme can be attributed to the team approach, 'learning while doing', integrated mentorship programme and strong national ownership.
authors.affiliation: KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, The Netherlands ; Department of Global Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klinkenberg
authors.affiliation: TB CARE I/KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Assefa
authors.affiliation: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Rusen
authors.affiliation: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dlodlo
authors.affiliation: TB CARE I/KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shimeles
authors.affiliation: Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.affiliation: TB CARE I/KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ; Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa ; Tuberculosis Research Advisory Committee, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fiseha
authors.affiliation: TB CARE I/KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ; Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa ; Tuberculosis Research Advisory Committee, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tsegaye
authors.affiliation: KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leimane
authors.affiliation: Independent consultant, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Teklai
authors.affiliation: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dacombe
authors.affiliation: Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa ; Tuberculosis Research Advisory Committee, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aseffa
keywords: Africa; capacity building; implementation research; partnerships; training