Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Cochrane Africa is a network of institutions, research and consumers leading Cochrane activities on the African continent. The francophone Hub is based at the Center for the Development of Best Health Practices (CDBPH) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. As part of the implementation of the Cochrane African Network project, we conducted a prioritization survey among francophone users to determine evidence needs.
Objectives: To improve the use of systematic Cochrane Reviews in Africa by interacting with stakeholders and users on the probable utilization of data on health.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a Google forms questionnaire containing 22 health-related topics. We sent a reminder two days later to those who had not yet replied to the questionnaire. The importance of each item could be scored from 1 to 10, with higher numbers indicating higher priority. We calculated an average score. We analyzed data using Microsoft Excel 2013.
Results: We interviewed a total of 80 individuals: 37 men (47%) and 43 women (53%). In terms of respondents' profiles, 36 (45%) were physicians, 19 (23%) Ministry of Health decision-makers, 8 (10%) were nurses, 5 (6%) were pharmacists, 5 (6%) were journalists and 4 (5%) were from civil society. The three major health problems identified were: increasing immunization coverage for women and children (average score = 7.78); increasing the proportion of deliveries assisted by skilled personnel (average score = 7.5) and improving the integrated management of childhood illnesses (average score = 7.43). The least important health problems were: alternatives to ensure care of the under-privileged (average score = 4.76); medical care of the impoverished (average score = 5.13) and reducing the time to emergency surgery (average score = 5.7).
Conclusions: Maternal and child health issues appear to be a high priority for francophone users of evidence in Cameroon.
Objectives: To improve the use of systematic Cochrane Reviews in Africa by interacting with stakeholders and users on the probable utilization of data on health.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a Google forms questionnaire containing 22 health-related topics. We sent a reminder two days later to those who had not yet replied to the questionnaire. The importance of each item could be scored from 1 to 10, with higher numbers indicating higher priority. We calculated an average score. We analyzed data using Microsoft Excel 2013.
Results: We interviewed a total of 80 individuals: 37 men (47%) and 43 women (53%). In terms of respondents' profiles, 36 (45%) were physicians, 19 (23%) Ministry of Health decision-makers, 8 (10%) were nurses, 5 (6%) were pharmacists, 5 (6%) were journalists and 4 (5%) were from civil society. The three major health problems identified were: increasing immunization coverage for women and children (average score = 7.78); increasing the proportion of deliveries assisted by skilled personnel (average score = 7.5) and improving the integrated management of childhood illnesses (average score = 7.43). The least important health problems were: alternatives to ensure care of the under-privileged (average score = 4.76); medical care of the impoverished (average score = 5.13) and reducing the time to emergency surgery (average score = 5.7).
Conclusions: Maternal and child health issues appear to be a high priority for francophone users of evidence in Cameroon.