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Zachariah R, Abrahamyan A, Rust S, Thekkur P, Khogali M, Kumar AMV, Davtyan H, Satyanarayana S, Shewade HD, Delamou A, Zolfo M, Hermans V, Berger SD, Reid A, Aseffa A, Dongre AR, Harries AD, Reeder JC. Quality, Equity and Partnerships in Mixed Methods and Qualitative Research during Seven Years of Implementing the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative in 18 Countries. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7100305. [PMID: 36288046 PMCID: PMC9610844 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Qualitative studies are often inadequately reported, making it difficult to judge their appropriateness for decision making in public health. We assessed the publication characteristics and quality of reporting of qualitative and mixed-method studies from the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT), a global partnership for operational research capacity building. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of publications to assess the qualitative component using an adapted version of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist. Results: In 67 publications involving 18 countries, 32 journals and 13 public health themes, 55 were mixed-methods studies and 12 were qualitative studies. First authorship from low-and-middle-income (LMIC) countries was present in 64 (96%), LMIC last authorship in 55 (82%), and female first authorship in 30 (45%). The mean LMIC institutions represented per publication was five (range 1–11). Sixty-three (94%) publications were open access. Reporting quality was graded as ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ in 60 (89%) publications, ‘fair’ in five (8%) and ‘poor’ in two (3%). Conclusion: Most SORT IT publications adhered to COREQ standards, while supporting gender equity in authorship and the promotion of LMIC research leadership. SORT IT plays an important role in ensuring quality of evidence for decision making to improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rony Zachariah
- UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, WHO, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-22-791-4367
| | - Arpine Abrahamyan
- Tuberculosis Research and Prevention Center NGO (TB-RPC), Yerevan 0014, Armenia
| | - Stefanie Rust
- Local Health Authority, District of Diepholz, 49356 Diepholz, Germany
| | - Pruthu Thekkur
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75001 Paris, France
| | - Mohammed Khogali
- UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, WHO, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ajay M. V. Kumar
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75001 Paris, France
- The Union South-East Asia Office, C6, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016, India
- Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Deralakatte, Mangaluru 575018, India
| | - Hayk Davtyan
- Tuberculosis Research and Prevention Center NGO (TB-RPC), Yerevan 0014, Armenia
| | - Srinath Satyanarayana
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75001 Paris, France
| | - Hemant D. Shewade
- Division of Health Systems Research, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077, India
| | - Alexandre Delamou
- Department of Public Health, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry 1147, Guinea
| | - Maria Zolfo
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Veerle Hermans
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, LuxOR, 1617 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Selma Dar Berger
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75001 Paris, France
| | - Anthony Reid
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Centre Brussels, LuxOR, 1617 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Abraham Aseffa
- UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, WHO, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Amol R. Dongre
- Pramukhswami Medical College (PSMC), Karamsad 388325, India
| | - Anthony D. Harries
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75001 Paris, France
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - John C. Reeder
- UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, WHO, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Zachariah R, Rust S, Thekkur P, Khogali M, Kumar AM, Davtyan K, Diro E, Satyanarayana S, Denisiuk O, Griensven JV, Hermans V, Berger SD, Saw S, Reid A, Aseffa A, Harries AD, Reeder JC. Quality, Equity and Utility of Observational Studies during 10 Years of Implementing the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative in 72 Countries. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:E167. [PMID: 33172059 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5040167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Observational studies are often inadequately reported, making it difficult to assess their validity and generalizability and judge whether they can be included in systematic reviews. We assessed the publication characteristics and quality of reporting of observational studies generated by the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT). Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of original publications from SORT IT courses. SORT IT is a global partnership-based initiative aimed at building sustainable capacity for conducting operational research according to country priorities and using the generated evidence for informed decision-making to improve public health. Reporting quality was independently assessed using an adapted version of ‘Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology’ (STROBE) checklist. Results: In 392 publications, involving 72 countries, 50 journals, 28 publishers and 24 disease domains, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) first authorship was seen in 370 (94%) and LMIC last authorship in 214 (55%). Publications involved LMIC-LMIC collaboration in 90% and high-income-country-LMIC collaboration in 87%. The majority (89%) of publications were in immediate open access journals. A total of 346 (88.3%) publications achieved a STROBE reporting quality score of >85% (excellent), 41 (10.4%) achieved a score of 76–85% (good) and 5 (1.3%) a score of 65–75% (fair). Conclusion: The majority of publications from SORT IT adhere to STROBE guidelines, while also ensuring LMIC equity and collaborative partnerships. SORT IT is, thus, playing an important role in ensuring high-quality reporting of evidence for informed decision-making in public health.
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Zachariah R, Rust S, Berger SD, Guillerm N, Bissell K, Delaunois P, Reid AJ, Kumar AMV, Olliaro PL, Reeder JC, Harries AD, Ramsay A. Building Global Capacity for Conducting Operational Research Using the SORT IT Model: Where and Who? PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160837. [PMID: 27505253 PMCID: PMC4978462 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Setting Research capacity is weakest in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where operational research is highly relevant and needed. Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT) courses have been developed to train participants to conduct and publish operational research and influence policy and practice. Twenty courses were completed in Asia, Africa, Europe and the South Pacific between 2009 and 2014. Objectives In the 20 completed SORT IT courses, to assess where the research was conducted, who was trained, who became facilitators in subsequent courses and course outcomes. Design A cohort study of completed SORT IT courses Results There were 236 participants (41% female) including 64 nationalities who conducted research in 59 countries, mostly from Asia and Africa (mean course duration = 9.7 months). Most participants (68%) were from government health programs and non-governmental agencies. A total of 213(90%) participants completed all milestones successfully with 41(19%) becoming subsequent course facilitators, 88% of whom were from LMICs. Of 228 manuscripts submitted to scientific journals, 197(86%) were either published or in press; in 86%, the principal investigator (first author) was a LMIC national. Papers were published in 23 scientific journals (impact factor 0.5–4.4) and covered 21 disease categories (median publication time = 5.7 months). Published papers (186) had 94,794 cumulative article views/downloads. Article views/downloads for immediate open access articles were double those from closed access journals. Conclusion The SORT IT model has been effective in training personnel to produce relevant operational research in LMICs. It merits continued commitment and support for further scale-up and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rony Zachariah
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Medical Department, Brussels Operational Centre, MSF-Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- * E-mail:
| | - Stefanie Rust
- KNCV, Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Selma Dar Berger
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Guillerm
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
| | - Karen Bissell
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Delaunois
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Medical Department, Brussels Operational Centre, MSF-Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Anthony J. Reid
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Medical Department, Brussels Operational Centre, MSF-Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Ajay M. V. Kumar
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, South-East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India
| | - Piero L. Olliaro
- Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - John C. Reeder
- Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anthony D. Harries
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Ramsay
- Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Kumar AMV, Shewade HD, Tripathy JP, Guillerm N, Tayler-Smith K, Berger SD, Bissell K, Reid AJ, Zachariah R, Harries AD. Does research through Structured Operational Research and Training (SORT IT) courses impact policy and practice? Public Health Action 2016; 6:44-9. [PMID: 27051612 DOI: 10.5588/pha.15.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
SETTING Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT) courses are well known for their output, with nearly 90% of participants completing the course and publishing in scientific journals. OBJECTIVE We assessed the impact of research papers on policy and practice that resulted from six SORT IT courses initiated between July 2012 and March 2013. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study involving e-mail-based, self-administered questionnaires and telephone/skype/in-person responses from first and/or senior co-authors of course papers. A descriptive content analysis of the responses was performed and categorised into themes. RESULTS Of 72 participants, 63 (88%) completed the course. Course output included 81 submitted papers, of which 76 (94%) were published. Of the 81 papers assessed, 45 (55%) contributed to a change in policy and/or practice: 29 contributed to government policy/practice change (20 at national, 4 at subnational and 5 at hospital level), 11 to non-government organisational policy change and 5 to reinforcing existing policy. The changes ranged from modifications of monitoring and evaluation tools, to redrafting of national guidelines, to scaling up existing policies. CONCLUSION More than half of the SORT IT course papers contributed to a change in policy and/or practice. Future assessments should include more robust and independent verification of the reported change(s) with all stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M V Kumar
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), South-East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India
| | - H D Shewade
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), South-East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India
| | - J P Tripathy
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), South-East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi, India
| | | | - K Tayler-Smith
- Medical Department, Operational Centre Brussels, Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF-Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | | | | | - A J Reid
- Medical Department, Operational Centre Brussels, Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF-Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - R Zachariah
- Medical Department, Operational Centre Brussels, Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF-Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - A D Harries
- The Union, Paris, France ; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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