Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41306294›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in health services2025

Closing the gap between implementation science and policy in Nigeria: lessons from the Nigeria implementation science alliance using a nominal group technique.

Tonia C Onyeka, Babayemi Olakunde, Otoyo Toyo, Ijeoma U Itanyi, Andy Eyo, Dina Patel, John Olawepo, Patrick Dakum, Prosper Okonkwo, Michael Obiefune and 15 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in health services, 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

25 authors.

Tonia C OnyekaIVAN Research Institute, Enugu, Nigeria.
Babayemi OlakundeIVAN Research Institute, Enugu, Nigeria.
Otoyo ToyoExcellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, Abuja, Nigeria.
Ijeoma U ItanyiDepartment of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
Andy EyoExcellence Community Education Welfare Scheme, Abuja, Nigeria.
Dina PatelHealthySunrise Foundation, Nevada, NV, United States.
John OlawepoIVAN Research Institute, Enugu, Nigeria.
Patrick DakumInstitute of Human Virology, Abuja, Nigeria.
Prosper OkonkwoAPIN Public Health Initiatives, Abuja, Nigeria.
Michael ObiefuneInstitute of Human Virology, Abuja, Nigeria.
John OkoCatholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Bolanle OyeledunCentre for Integrated Health Programs, Abuja, Nigeria.
Ayodotun OlutolaCenter for Clinical Care and Clinical Research, Abuja, Nigeria.
Bola GobirGeorgetown Global Health Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Oniyire AdetiloyeJhpiegpo, Abuja, Nigeria.
Nguavese TorbundeCenter for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria.
Muyi AinaSolina, Abuja, Nigeria.
Sidney SampsonSydani Group, Abuja, Nigeria.
Hamisu SalihuKano Independent Research Centre Trust, Kano, Nigeria.
Joseph OlisaDirect Consulting and Logistics, Abuja, Nigeria.
Vidya VedhamCenter for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Maryland, MD, United States.
Mark ParascandolaCenter for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Maryland, MD, United States.
Patti GravittCenter for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Maryland, MD, United States.
Gregory A AaronsDepartment of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States.
Echezona E EzeanolueIVAN Research Institute, Enugu, Nigeria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge translation in healthcare has been of keen interest to researchers, practitioners, policymakers and administrators as it seeks to confront complex health issues within communities by closing the gap between knowledge generation through research and knowledge application. A paucity of information exists regarding nature of the relationship between Nigerian implementation science researchers and policymakers in the sphere of knowledge translation. This study aimed to identify and discuss barriers to successful engagement between implementation researchers and policymakers as well as to identify strategies for successful engagement between both parties in Nigeria. Methods: A modified Nominal Group Technique was conducted with 259 diverse health research stakeholders attending the 7th Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance conference in Abuja, Nigeria, to identify barriers to knowledge translation in Nigerian healthcare settings. Results: Lack of interest in non-aligned priorities of implementation researchers and policymakers, knowledge and capacity gap in stakeholder engagement, and non-existence of engagement framework were ranked as the top three barriers. Developing and sustaining an effective engagement framework, aligning researcher-policymaker interests through collaborative research projects, and joint capacity-building were ranked the topmost facilitators of researcher-policymaker engagement. Conclusion: This study highlights key barriers to research-to-policy engagement in Nigeria, namely the need for structured engagement frameworks, alignment of priorities, and targeted capacity development, and proposes actionable strategies to address them. Sustainable impact will depend on dedicated financing, governance reforms, and institutional changes, supported by long-term partnerships and robust evaluation systems to advance knowledge translation and improve health outcomes.

Indexed as

capacity buildingcollaboration frameworkimplementation scienceknowledge translationnominal group techniquepolicymaker engagement

Identifiers

PMID41306294
PMCPMC12644075

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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.