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

Summary of Evidence for Action Annual Report, July 2006 - June 2007

1.       One Page Summary

(i) How far have intended outputs as listed in the logframe been achieved?

Output 1. Generation of high quality, policy relevant research findings

Whilst the research programme is still in its initial stages, good progress has been made towards the generation of high quality, policy relevant research findings across all the themes. The results of Evidence for Action-generated research projects (except the Situation Assessment) are not yet available, however there are results from many research projects carried out by the partners that are related to (but not directly generated by) Evidence for Action (see Annex 5).

Data collection for the Situation Assessment, which examines what and how HIV treatment and care is being delivered in India, Uganda, Zambia and Malawi, is now complete. This work is being written up as a working paper, policy brief and a journal article, and has been important in highlighting similarities and differences between the partner countries, and clarifying key issues for further research.

Work is being carried out on several Evidence for Action-generated research projects under each theme, and more collaborative research projects having been identified and are in the proposal development stage. Important facilitators to this process have been the workshop on Paediatric HIV treatment and care and the Policy Research Workshop, which both led to the identification and development of several research projects. Other research ideas were clarified at the July ’07 Consortium Meeting.

Output 2. Evidence-based influence on policy & practice related to HIV treatment & care in low & middle income countries

Evidence for Action partners play a major role in influencing policy and practice at the local and global level. Considerable work has been done strengthening partners’ relationships with key stakeholders, publicising the programme, and laying the foundations for ensuring that the specific research generated within the Evidence for Action programme will influence policy and practice. Partners have been identifying key stakeholders’ research needs and priorities through formal and informal stakeholder meetings. The appointment of communications representatives within each partner institution, identification of communications objectives during the Second Annual Consortium Meeting, and the planned workshop to develop country-level communications strategies and action plans are also vital to achieving this output.

Output 3. Increased capacity of partner institutions in doing research and its effective communication

The main overall capacity development activity so far has been the Policy Research Workshop. Partners have also been developing staff capacity eg. by supporting them to obtain further training. Southern Partners are carrying out a needs assessment, which will be used to guide allocation of central funds. Several consortium-wide capacity strengthening activities are planned for the next year, including a Communications Workshop and a Proposal Development Workshop, in addition to individual partner activities and exchange visits.

(ii) What is the impact of the research programme so far?

The Evidence for Action programme is still in initial stages, therefore it is not possible to assess impact yet. However, partners are engaging with stakeholders, and participating in national and international groups and meetings to influence policy and practice.