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My life as a research nurse: Ralueke Ekezie

Ralueke Ekezie is an innovative research nurse in Nigeria, and a long-standing member of Global Health Trials and Global Research Nurses. He has organised many events to support research nurses in Nigeria. Here, he tells us about his role.

Knowledge and attitude towards Ebola and Marburg virus diseases in Uganda using quantitative and participatory epidemiology techniques

Useful paper which uses mixed qualitative and quantitative methods to consider knowledge and practices around ebola and marburg virus in Uganda

Unintended consequences of the ‘bushmeat ban’ in West Africa during the 2013–2016 Ebola virus disease epidemic

This interesting article uses qualitative research to consider the impacts of the bushmeat ban, and consider whether illegalising bushmeat had the desired effect. Useful, interesting paper for anyone with an interest in the ebola virus and how to encourage behaviour change.

Challenges facing young African scientists in their research careers: A qualitative exploratory study

This interesting study uses questionnaires to ask researchers about how they developed their interests in science, and how we can support young researchers to encourage more research in LMICs

Challenges When Using Grounded Theory: A Pragmatic Introduction to Doing GT Research

The grounded theory (GT) method is widely applied, yet frequently misunderstood. We outline the main variants of GT and dispel the most common myths associated with GT. We argue that the different variants of GT incorporate a core set of shared procedures that can be put to work by any researcher or team from their chosen ontological and epistemological perspective.

What Drives Academic Data Sharing?

!Based on a systematic review of 98 scholarly papers and an empirical survey among 603 secondary data users, we develop a conceptual framework [of data sharing] that explains the process of data sharing from the primary researcher’s point of view. We show that this process can be divided into six descriptive categories."

Patient and public involvement in research

Research Involving Health Providers and Managers: Ethical Issues Faced by Researchers Conducting Diverse Health Policy and Systems Research in Kenya.

The authors examine the ethical issues that arose for researchers over the course of conducting three HPSR studies in Kenya in which health managers and providers were key participants. 

The importance of gender analysis in research for health systems strengthening

This editorial discusses a collection of papers examining gender across a range of health policy and systems contexts, from access to services, governance, health financing, and human resources for health.

10 best resources on power in health policy and systems in low- and middle-income countries

"In order to facilitate greater engagement with the concept of power among researchers and practitioners in the health systems and policy realm, we share a broad overview of the concept of power, and list 10 excellent resources on power in health policy and systems in low- and middle-income countries, covering exemplary frameworks, commentaries and empirical work. We undertook a two-stage process to identify these resources."

Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization

In this paper, we look to clarify the nature, purposes and uses of saturation, and in doing so add to theoretical debate on the role of saturation across different methodologies. We identify four distinct approaches to saturation, which differ in terms of the extent to which an inductive or a deductive logic is adopted, and the relative emphasis on data collection, data analysis, and theorizing.

Experiences of using life histories with health workers in post-conflict and crisis settings: methodological reflections

In this paper, we examine our experience of using life histories to explore health system trajectories coming out of conflict through the eyes of health workers

The meaning of participation for children in Malawi: insights from children and caregivers” Child: Care, Health and Development

The aim of this study is to explore what participation means for children (including those with and without disability) in rural Northern Malawi.

Challenges to the care of low birthweight babies in rural Southern Malawi: a qualitative study exploring perceptions and experiences of caregivers and health workers

This paper looks at the infants in Malawi who suffered from low birth weight, and asks the question: how can we improve the outcomes? 

Strengthening close to community provision of maternal health services in fragile settings: an exploration of the changing roles of TBAs in Sierra Leone and Somaliland BMC Health Services Research

This article looks at Traditional Birth Attendants in Somaliland and Sierra Leone and at the important role they play in their commiunities. 

Gendered negotiations for research participation in community based studies in Kenya: Implications for health systems research

In this paper, qualitative research was used alongside large clinical community-based studies conducted on the Kenyan Coast to explore how gender and power relations within households and communities and between fieldworkers and communities shape consent processes and interactions.

Involving Research Stakeholders in Developing Policy on Sharing Public Health Research Data in Kenya

Views on Fair Process for Informed Consent, Access Oversight, and Community Engagement

Trust, Respect, and Reciprocity: Informing Culturally Appropriate Data-Sharing Practice in Vietnam

Informing Culturally Appropriate Data-Sharing Practice in Vietnam.

Perceived Benefits, Harms, and Views About How to Share Data Responsibly

A Qualitative Study of Experiences With and Attitudes Toward Data Sharing Among Research Staff and Community Representatives in Thailand.

Involving men to improve maternal and newborn health: A systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions

The objective of thsi review was to determine the effect of interventions to engage men during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy on mortality and morbidity, as well as effects on mechanisms by which male involvement is hypothesised to influence mortality and morbidity outcomes: home care practices, care-seeking, and couple relationships. Findings suggets that interventions to engage men in maternal and newborn health can increase care-seeking, improve home care practices, and support more equitable couple communication and decision-making for maternal and newborn health. These findings support engaging men as a health promotion strategy, although evidence gaps remain around effects on mortality and morbidity. Findings also indicate that interventions to increase male involvement should be carefully designed and implemented to mitigate potential harmful effects on couple relationship dynamics.