Aggrey, Siya, Pulford, Justin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-8480, Bahungirehe, JB and Hope, Andrew (2024) 'National capacity strengthening within the context of an international vector control partnership: Findings from a qualitative study conducted within the Ugandan ‘Tiny Targets’ programme.'. BMJ Public Health, Vol 2, Issue 1.
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Abstract
Introduction: The Ugandan Tiny Target programme is an example of an international vector control partnership that held specific capacity-strengthening objectives in support of a disease elimination goal. Drawing on this experience, we sought to derive transferable lessons that may inform capacity strengthening approaches within other partnership-based vector control programmes.
Methods: A longitudinal qualitative study encompassing semi-structured interviews conducted with Ugandan partners working on the Tiny Target programme. Data analysis was informed by a general inductive approach.
Results: Capacity strengthening priorities evolved over time initially focusing on the immediate capacities needed to perform roles and responsibilities assigned within the partnership then shifting towards more advanced, transferable knowledge and skills. A distinction between operational and systemic priorities was observed: the former necessary to support successful programme implementation whereas the latter reflected fundamental limitations or complexities within the Ugandan context that were bypassed by including an international partner. Systemic priorities were fewer in number than their operational counterparts, although substantially harder to resolve. The largest apparent threat to the long-term sustainability of reported capacity gains was their concentration within a small number of individuals.
Conclusion: Our study highlights three key lessons that may inform the design of national capacity strengthening activities conducted within the context of international vector control partnerships, including: 1) Multiple approaches to strengthen capacity are needed and that can adapt to changing capacity strengthening priorities over time; 2) Balancing operational and systemic capacity strengthening priorities, the latter becoming increasingly important within longer-term partnerships; and 3) Partnership members in focal country/ies should be supported to actively facilitate transfer of newly acquired knowledge and skills to relevant colleagues/communities outside of the partnership. The generic nature of these recommendations suggest they are likely to be of benefit to many and diverse international partnerships within the wider global health space.
What is already known on this topic
• Strengthening vector control capacity is a foundation of the World Health Organization’s global vector control response, 2017-2030.
• International vector control partnerships are one means by which vector control capabilities can be strengthened in less well capacitated countries. However, there are few research-derived accounts of how capacity strengthening opportunities can be optimised within the context of such partnerships.
What this study adds
• We provide pragmatic, research-derived recommendations for designing and implementing capacity strengthening activities within international vector control partnerships.
How this study might affect research, practice or policy
• International vector control partnerships, as well as bodies that fund such partnerships, can draw on these recommendations to inform more impactful capacity strengthening practice. As the recommendations are relatively generic in nature, they are also likely to be of value to a broad range of partnerships working in the global health space.
Item Type: | Article |
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Subjects: | QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 505 Diptera QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 600 Insect control. Tick control QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 650 Insect vectors WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 530 International health administration |
Faculty: Department: | Biological Sciences > Vector Biology Department Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department |
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2023-000410 |
Depositing User: | Rachel Dominguez |
Date Deposited: | 02 May 2024 13:42 |
Last Modified: | 02 May 2024 13:42 |
URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/24327 |
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