An International Research
Consortium to Maximise
Benefits & Equity of HIV
Treatment & Care Systems

Identifying the most effective ways to translate new evidence into policy and programming effectively has been an area which has received little attention in the past. The complex national and international parameters which enable rapid acceptance of new information and the key determinants of how and when policies are accepted and implemented need to be established. Over the lifetime of the consortium we aim to strengthen the capacity of consortium members on policy research and dissemination. We are working to identify and research some of the important barriers which prevent translation of evidence into actions.

Theme 4 Research Generated by Evidence for Action 

There are various case studies being carried out looking into the policy process, and how evidence influences policy. LSHTM, MRC CTU, ZAMBART, Lighthouse and MRC UVRI are collaborating on a project looking into knowledge, policy and practice in the use of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in adults and children in Zambia, Malawi and Uganda. The findings from this study will allow comparisons between the three countries to be made, and will inform our policy-influencing work.

IHAA are continuing a multi-country analysis aiming to increase understanding of how policy and funding streams affect mainstreaming at community level, and to identify approaches that facilitate – as well as those that hinder – effective mainstreaming of HIV treatment and care.

ZAMBART and LSHTM are in the process of analysing and writing-up findings from a project investigating how the policy on ART roll-out was made and communicated to sub-national levels for implementation, coordination mechanisms in place and the role of GHI in the implementation of the ART roll-out in Zambia. Following on from this LSHTM and ZAMBART will work on a case study of the role of the World Bank in influencing policy in Zambia, and how this has impacted on the implementation and sustainability of programmes.

Evidence for Action is working with TARGETS and COMDIS RPCs on a small study investigating what the most important sources of information are for health policy makers in partner countries. The results of this will feed into our communications strategy.

In addition to these specific studies, Evidence for Action partners will document case studies of how our research and communications activities influence policy and practice.