Stakeholders’ individual and organizational capacity to acquire, assess, adapt and apply evidence for maternal, neonatal and child health in policymaking in Burkina Faso

Introduction: In Burkina Faso, the systematic use of research evidence in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) decision-making is not yet institutionalized despite previous initiatives to promote the evidence to policy link. This study aimed to assess individual and organizational capacities of MNCH stakeholders for evidence-to-policy link in Burkina Faso. Methods: The design was a cross-sectional study conducted during a national MNCH stakeholders’ engagement event organised in Ouagadougou in November 2015 by Burkina Faso Ministry of Health. A self-assessment survey using structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to assess participants’ individual and organisational capacities to acquire, appraise, adapt and apply evidence in decision-making. Results: The mean rating (MNR) for individual knowledge about initiating/conducting research and ability to access and use existing research evidence ranged from 2.76-2.96 on the scale of 5. The MNR of the capacity to assess the authenticity, validity, reliability, quality and applicability of research evidence ranged from 2.72 to 3.08. Respondents rated their organizational level of research incentives including availability of research grants, in-service research training, and provision of research facilities very low (MNR=1.60). The MNR of organizational capacity to initiate research, source for research evidence, assess the validity and applicability of research evidence, and incentives to encourage the application of research evidence ranged from 2.16 to 2.76. Conclusion: The outcome of this study demonstrates the urgent need for capacity enhancement at individual level for MNCH stakeholders in Burkina Faso and the creation of enabling environment for promotion of evidence use at organizational level, through research incentives.