ArticleBMC health services research2014
Uptake of evidence in policy development: the case of user fees for health care in public health facilities in Uganda.
Article in BMC health services research, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed.
- Analysis of human disease burden, determinants of treatment costs and affordability perceptions in the Rwenzori region, Uganda using DALYs, OLS and Bayesian regression.Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E · 2025Article
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- "Sickness has no time": Awareness and perceptions of health care workers on universal health coverage in Uganda.PloS one · 2024Article
- Challenges for research uptake for health policymaking and practice in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.Health research policy and systems · 2023Article
- Article
- How does explicit knowledge inform policy shaping? The case of Burkina Faso's national social protection policy.PloS one · 2023Article
- Embedding Research on Implementation of Primary Health Care Systems Strengthening: A Commentary on Collaborative Experiences in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Mozambique.Global health, science and practice · 2022Article
- Making doctors stay: Rethinking doctor retention policy in a contracted-out primary healthcare setting in urban Bangladesh.PloS one · 2022Article
- Implementation research approaches to promoting universal health coverage in Africa: a scoping review.BMC health services research · 2021Article
- Knowledge translation in Africa: are the structures in place?Implementation science communications · 2020Article
- Advancing the evaluation of integrated knowledge translation.Health research policy and systems · 2018Article
- Generating demand for and use of evaluation evidence in government health ministries: lessons from a pilot programme in Uganda and Zambia.Health research policy and systems · 2017Article
- Health financing policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: government ownership or donors' influence? A scoping review of policymaking processes.Global health research and policy · 2017Article
- Harmonisation and standardisation of health sector and programme reviews and evaluations - how can they better inform health policy dialogue?Health research policy and systems · 2016Article
- Policy dialogue to improve health outcomes in low income countries: what are the issues and way forward?BMC health services research · 2016Article
- From institutionalization of user fees to their abolition in West Africa: a story of pilot projects and public policies.BMC health services research · 2015Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundSeveral countries in Sub Saharan Africa have abolished user fees for health care but the extent to which such a policy decision is guided by evidence needs further exploration. We explored the barriers and facilitating factors to uptake of evidence in the process of user fee abolition in Uganda and how the context and stakeholders involved shaped the uptake of evidence. This study builds on previous work in Uganda that led to the development of a middle range theory (MRT) outlining the main facilitating factors for knowledge translation (KT). Application of the MRT to the case of abolition of user fees contributes to its refining.
methodsEmploying a theory-driven inquiry and case study approach given the need for in-depth investigation, we reviewed documents and conducted interviews with 32 purposefully selected key informants. We assessed whether evidence was available, had or had not been considered in policy development and the reasons why and; assessed how the actors and the context shaped the uptake of evidence.
resultsSymbolic, conceptual and instrumental uses of evidence were manifest. Different actors were influenced by different types of evidence. While technocrats in the ministry of health (MoH) relied on formal research, politicians relied on community complaints. The capacity of the MoH to lead the KT process was weak and the partnerships for KT were informal. The political window and alignment of the evidence with overall government discourse enhanced uptake of evidence. Stakeholders were divided, seemed to be polarized for various reasons and had varying levels of support and influence impacting the uptake of evidence.
conclusionEvidence will be taken up in policy development in instances where the MoH leads the KT process, there are partnerships for KT in place, and the overall government policy and the political situation can be expected to play a role. Different actors will be influenced by different types of evidence and their level of support and influence will impact the uptake of evidence. In addition, the extent to which a policy issue is contested and, whether stakeholders share similar opinions and preferences will impact the uptake of evidence.
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