Knowledge Translation by ICDDR,B

The following is part of a series of project updates from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). The MHTF is supporting their project, Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Translation in Bangladesh. More information on MHTF supported projects can be found here.

 

Written by: ICDDR,B

 

The first group of researchers successfully completed the course, How to Write a Knowledge Translation Brief: Knowledge Translation in Maternal Health, on April 13, 2011. The course was facilitated by Fauzia Akhter Huda and Laura Reichenbach. A total of nine researchers from ICDDR,B’s Reproductive Health Unit participated in the first course which was held over three 2 hour sessions. Each participant was instructed to bring a data set or a completed study report to the first session. They used these materials throughout the course and by the end of the course each participant had created a KT brief based on the results of a maternal health study they had been involved with. The course materials have generated a lot of interest both within and outside of ICDDR,B. Other groups have expressed an interest in using the materials or having RHU staff come and give training in how to write KT briefs.

 

A technical review committee was developed to review each of the Knowledge Translation Briefs. The reviewers include technical experts in the area of maternal health as well as communications experts. The briefs will be finalized after review and shared on the Access for All web-page on the ICDDR,B web-site.

 

The course to a second group of researchers will start in June.

 

The webpage for the Knowledge Translation for Maternal Health: Building Capacity and Culture for Change website has been further developed and is ready to be launched on the redeveloped ICDDR,B website. The webpage will provide access to Knowledge Translation briefs; evidence which includes different reports, presentations, and publications from completed studies related to maternal health conducted at the Reproductive Health unit of ICDDR,B different times; and Government of Bangladesh documents relevant to maternal health. We hope this webpage will be a useful resource for researchers and policymakers in a similar way.

 

A briefing meeting was held in May 2011 at the Bangladesh Medical and Research Council (BMRC). It brought together members of the Knowledge Translation: Culture and Capacity for Change team and ICDDR,B researchers working on developing policymaker’s capacity to use evidence. The BMRC team expressed an interest in having ICDDR,B researchers provide the KT guideline course.

 

Selected KT Briefs under review:

  • CSBAs: Do they make a difference in the community;
  • Community Support Groups: Expectant contributors in improving maternal health in Bangladesh;
  • Inadequate competencies of nurses working obstetric wards of Upazila, District, and Medical College hospitals in Khulna and Sylhet Divisions;
  • Profile of maternal complications during labor and delivery among women with hospital delivery in rural Bangladesh;
  • Brief counseling can improve partner referral for management of sexually transmitted infection in Bangladesh