Overview of national health research systems in sub-Saharan Africa: results of a questionnaire-based survey

OBJECTIVE: To assess the state of national health research systems of countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. DESIGN: A questionnaire-based survey METHODS: Structured questionnaires were used to solicit health research systems' relevant information from key informants in each country. SETTING: Forty-six Member States of the WHO African Region. PARTICIPANTS: Key informants from the ministry of health in each country, with the support of WHO Country Offices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of national health research policy or strategy, priority setting and ethical review of research. RESULTS: Of the 44 responding countries, 39 (89%) reportedly had an official national health policy and 37 (84%) had a strategic health plan. A total of 16 (36%) countries reportedly had a functional national health research governance mechanism, nine of which had clear terms of reference; nine (20%) countries had a functional national health research management forum. Functional ethical review committees were reported in 33 countries (75%). CONCLUSIONS: National health research systems were weak in the countries assessed. Significantly more resources should be allocated to strengthening these systems.