Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40450342›Full record

ArticleReproductive health2025

Impact of a comprehensive two-year research capacity intervention with sexual and reproductive health researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Julie M Buser, Olive Tengera, Charley Jiang, Edward Kumakech, Rachel Gray, Madeleine Mukeshimana, Gerard Kaberuka, Marie Laetitia Ishimwe Bazakare, Jackline Ayikoru, Diomede Ntasumbumuyange and 5 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Reproductive health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Julie M Buser *Center for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA. jbuser@umich.edu.
Olive Tengera *College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
Charley JiangDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.
Edward KumakechDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, Lira, Uganda.
Rachel GrayCenter for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.
Madeleine MukeshimanaCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
Gerard KaberukaCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
Marie Laetitia Ishimwe BazakareCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
Jackline AyikoruDepartment of Reproductive Health, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda.
Diomede NtasumbumuyangeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
Tamrat EndaleCenter for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.
Pebalo Francis PeboloDepartment of Reproductive Health, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda.
Anna Grace AumaDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, Lira, Uganda.
Ella August *Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.
Yolanda R Smith *Center for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResearch training in Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals and researchers to address specific sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges within their communities. Interventions that enhance research capacity and foster a culture of innovation within existing structures offer a practical and economical strategy capable of addressing national and sub-national SRH needs. This study evaluated an intervention to enhance reproductive health research skills to assess research competence changes among participants.

methodsA pre-post intervention design was employed. Pre- and post-program assessments were conducted using the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI)-12 scale to establish baseline and endline levels of research competence. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to analyze data. Our data interpretation is guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory.

resultsFaculty members and clinicians from Uganda and Rwanda completed the intervention and 84 had complete baseline while 77 had complete endline data. Analyses revealed significant improvements in nearly every item on the CRAI-12 scale after the research training program, including increased Self-Efficacy in Designing and Collecting Data (Factor 1); Reporting, Interpreting and Presenting (Factor 2); Conceptualizing and Collaborating (Factor 3); Setting Expectations for Research Staff (part of Factor 4); Describing the Funding Process (Part of Factor 5); and Protecting Study Participants (Factor 6) (all p = < 0.05). The only items that did not improve significantly were Confidence in Asking Staff to Leave the Project Team when Necessary (part of Factor 4) and Locating the Appropriate Grant Application Forms (part of Factor 5).We proposed a conceptual framework outlining the hypothesized pathways through which training and skill development influence research-related career planning and progression.

conclusionsThe research training intervention effectively improved participants' research competence. These findings underscore the importance of structured research training programs in enhancing research skills. Future research should focus on longitudinal assessments to explore sustained changes and the enduring impact of self-efficacy, outcome expectations (anticipations about career-related consequences), and research-related career goals on career planning and skill development.

Indexed as

Biomedical ResearchCapacity BuildingReproductive HealthResearch PersonnelSexual HealthAdultAfrica South of the SaharaFemaleHumansMaleUgandaClinical researchClinical research appraisal inventory (CRAI) -12Nursing and midwiferyOBGYNPre-post assessmentResearch competenceResearch training interventionSub-Saharan AfricaTraining effectivenessWomen’s health

Identifiers

PMID40450342
PMCPMC12126909

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.