LSTM Home > LSTM Research > LSTM Online Archive

Transfusion research priorities for blood services in sub-Saharan Africa

Bates, Imelda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-8199, Hassall, Oliver and Mapako, Tonderai (2017) 'Transfusion research priorities for blood services in sub-Saharan Africa'. British Journal of Haematology, Vol 177, Issue 6, pp. 855-863.

[img]
Preview
Text (uncorrected proof)
Transfusion Research Priorities Proof.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (346kB) | Preview

Abstract

Evidence to support many blood transfusion policies and practices in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is weak or lacking. SSA cannot extrapolate from wealthy countries’ research findings because its environment, users and structures are very different and SSA has critical blood shortages. SSA needs to generate its own evidence but research funds are very scarce and need to be carefully targeted to match need. This study aimed to define this need by determining research priorities for blood services in SSA. Thirty-five stakeholders representing diverse blood services’ interests and expertise participated in a workshop. An adapted ‘consensus development method’ was used to identify, agree and justify research priorities under five themes through small group and plenary discussion, and cumulative voting. Research priorities covered traditional research areas, such as clinical use of blood and infection screening, but also highlighted many new, under-researched topics, mostly concerning blood service ‘systems’, such as economics, blood components and regulation. Lack of electronic information management systems was an important hindrance to the blood services’ ability to generate robust research data. This study has identified and prioritised novel research that will help blood services in SSA to address their own needs including their most urgent problem: the lack of access to adequate blood supplies. To catalyse this research blood services in SSA need to enhance their capacity to conduct, commission and manage research and to strengthen their collaborations within and beyond Africa.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Special Issue: Low to middle income countries (LMIC)
Subjects: WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries
WB Practice of Medicine > Therapeutics > WB 356 Blood transfusion
WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 460 Blood bank procedures
Faculty: Department: Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.14577
Depositing User: Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited: 05 Apr 2017 10:50
Last Modified: 22 Oct 2019 08:23
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/6776

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item