1
|
Adebisi YA, Jimoh ND, Bassey AE, Alaka HO, Marah M, Ngoma C, Ogunkola IO, Bouaddi O, Courage I, Abdelatif El-Abasiri RA, Boutahar R, Ogbodum MU, Ekpenyong AM, Uwizeyimana T, Oghenerukevwe OE, Olawade DB. Harnessing the potential of African youth for transforming health research in Africa. Global Health 2024; 20:35. [PMID: 38664751 PMCID: PMC11046890 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01039-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Africa faces a significant burden of infectious diseases, including Malaria and HIV/AIDS, along with an increasing prevalence of non-infectious diseases such as diabetes and cancer. This dual health challenge is amplified by socioeconomic difficulties, restricted access to healthcare, and lifestyle changes, thus present unique scientific needs. Effectively addressing these issues requires a skilled scientific workforce adept in comprehensive healthcare strategies. This analysis explores the critical landscape of health research in Africa, emphasizing the unique opportunity presented by the continent's youthful population, projected to reach almost 1 billion by 2050. The youth's innovative potential and fresh perspectives offer a chance to overcome development barriers in health research. Nevertheless, challenges such as under-resourced education, limited research training, inadequate mentorship, and funding difficulties persist. This paper urgently calls upon African leaders, international partners, and stakeholders to prioritize health research, mobilize funding, forge strategic partnerships, and empower the youth as essential steps to capitalize on the continent's dynamic youth for breakthrough health outcomes. Such investments are vital not just for health but for the overall economic, social, and strategic growth of the continent. Through shared responsibility and a united effort, the potential of African youth can be harnessed, leading to transformative research, improved health outcomes, and a prosperous future. This perspective represents the collective voice of passionate young researchers and advocates across Africa, calling for a new era of health research on the continent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi
- Research Department, Global Health Focus Africa, Kigali, Rwanda.
- College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | - Mohamed Marah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | | | - Oumnia Bouaddi
- International School of Public Health, Mohammed VI University of Health, and Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, Morocco
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Theogene Uwizeyimana
- Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health, University of Global Health Equity, Butaro, Rwanda
| | - Oviri Edith Oghenerukevwe
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - David Bamidele Olawade
- Department of Allied and Public Health, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bürkin BM, Czabanowska K, Babich S, Casamitjana N, Vicente-Crespo M, De Souza LE, Ehrenberg JP, Hoffmann A, Kamath R, Matthiä A, Okumu F, Rutebemberwa E, Waser M, Kuenzli N, Bohlius J. Competencies for Transformational Leadership in Public Health-An International Delphi Consensus Study. Int J Public Health 2024; 69:1606267. [PMID: 38481704 PMCID: PMC10935731 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This Delphi study intended to develop competencies for transformational leadership in public health, including behavioral descriptions (descriptors) tailored to individuals and their contexts. Methods: The study involved five rounds, including online "e-Delphi" consultations and real-time online workshops with experts from diverse sectors. Relevant competencies were identified through a literature review, and experts rated, ranked, rephrased, and proposed descriptors. The study followed the Guidance on Conducting and REporting DElphi Studies (CREDES) and the COmpeteNcy FramEwoRk Development in Health Professions (CONFERD-HP) reporting guidelines. Results: Our framework comprises ten competencies for transformational public health leadership (each with its descriptors) within four categories, and also describes a four-stage model for developing relevant competencies tailored to different contexts. Conclusion: Educators responsible for curriculum design, particularly those aiming to align curricula with local goals, making leadership education context-specific and -sensitive, may benefit from the proposed framework. Additionally, it can help strengthen links between education and workforce sectors, address competency gaps, and potentially reduce the out-migration of graduates in the health professions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Maria Bürkin
- Department Education and Training, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katarzyna Czabanowska
- Department of International Health, Institute of Care and Public Health Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Health Policy Management, Institute of Public Health, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Suzanne Babich
- Department of International Health, Institute of Care and Public Health Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Community and Global Health, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Núria Casamitjana
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clinic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vicente-Crespo
- Research and Related Capacity Strengthening Division, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - John P. Ehrenberg
- Arboretum Frutales Mayas Non-Governmental Organization Cholul, Mérida, Colima, Mexico
| | - Axel Hoffmann
- Department Education and Training, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rajesh Kamath
- Department of Health Innovation, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Anja Matthiä
- Department Education and Training, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fredros Okumu
- Department of Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, Tanzania
| | - Elizeus Rutebemberwa
- African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marco Waser
- Department Education and Training, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nino Kuenzli
- Department Education and Training, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Bohlius
- Department Education and Training, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Craig W, Rambharose S, Khan W, Stassen W. Emergency medicine doctoral education in Africa: a scoping review of the published literature. BMC Med Educ 2023; 23:281. [PMID: 37095474 PMCID: PMC10127363 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04278-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While Africa accounts for a significant proportion of world population, and disease and injury burden, it produces less than 1% of the total research output within emergency care. Emergency care research capacity in Africa may be expanded through the development of doctoral programmes that aim to upskill the PhD student into an independent scholar, through dedicated support and structured learning. This study therefore aims to identify the nature of the problem of doctoral education in Africa, thereby informing a general needs assessment within the context of academic emergency medicine. METHODS A scoping review, utilising an a priori, piloted search strategy was conducted (Medline via PubMed and Scopus) to identify literature published between 2011 and 2021 related to African emergency medicine doctoral education. Failing that, an expanded search was planned that focused on doctoral education within health sciences more broadly. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened for inclusion in duplicate, and extracted by the principal author. The search was rerun in September 2022. RESULTS No articles that focused on emergency medicine/care were found. Following the expanded search, a total of 235 articles were identified, and 27 articles were included. Major domains identified in the literature included specific barriers to PhD success, supervision practices, transformation, collaborative learning, and research capacity improvement. CONCLUSIONS African doctoral students are hindered by internal academic factors such as limited supervision and external factors such as poor infrastructure e.g. internet connectivity. While not always feasible, institutions should offer environments that are conducive to meaningful learning. In addition, doctoral programmes should adopt and enforce gender policies to help alleviate the gender differences noted in PhD completion rates and research publication outputs. Interdisciplinary collaborations are potential mechanisms to develop well-rounded and independent graduates. Post-graduate and doctoral supervision experience should be a recognised promotion criterion to assist with clinician researcher career opportunities and motivation. There may be little value in attempting to replicate the programmatic and supervision practices of high-income countries. African doctoral programmes should rather focus on creating contextual and sustainable ways of delivering excellent doctoral education.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Craig
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Sanjeev Rambharose
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Waseela Khan
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Willem Stassen
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|