title: Health Policy, Health Systems Research and Analysis Capacity Assessment of the School of Public Health, University of Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health Policy and Systems Research and Analysis (HPSR&A) is an applied science that deals with complexity as it tries to provide lessons, tools and methods to understand and improve health systems and health policy. It is defined by the kinds of questions asked rather than a particular methodology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to assess capacity and capacity strengthening needs for HPSR&A conduct and teaching in the University of Ghana School of Public Health (UG-SPH). We conceptualized dynamically inter-related levels of capacity as contextual, institutional and individual.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study had a cross sectional, mixed methods design. Data collection involved desk review, ,an in-depth interview, focus group discussions (FGD) and an interviewer administered questionnaire with closed and open ended items. Netmap was used as a tool in the FGD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At all levels, HPSR&A capacity exists in Ghana but is somewhat fragile. The fragility reflects in part contextual challenges related to national income and priorities as well as the fact that globally HPSR&A remains an emerging field. At the contextual level, Institutions involved in some way or other in HPSR&A were part of larger organizations with broader mandates. Only a handful of SPH staff indicated that they specifically do teaching and /or research related to HPSR&A.
  There is a need to raise awareness of the field of HPSR&A and its potential contributions to health sector development; build upon already existing contextual, institutional and individual capacity; and also attract and develop the next generation of researchers and teachers.
authors.affiliation: Health Policy, Planning and Management Department, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana ; Julius Global Health, HP STR.6.131, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Agyepong
authors.affiliation: Health Policy, Planning and Management Department, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anniah
authors.affiliation: Health Policy, Planning and Management Department, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aikins
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Department, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, P.O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Akweongo
authors.affiliation: Health Policy, Planning and Management Department, University of Ghana, School of Public Health, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Esena
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Center for International Health and Development, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, G16, Charles Thackrah Building, 101 Clarendon Road, Leeds, LS2 9LJ, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mirzoev
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005869:Ghana; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D007857:Leadership; D012581:Schools, Public Health / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013597:Systems Analysis
keywords: Capacity; Health Policy; Health Systems; Research; Teaching