INCORPORATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS IN HEALTH POLICY FORMULATION IN ZANZIBAR

AN IGNORED NECESSITY

Abstract

This article through the guidance of evidence-based policymaking framework and the two communities’ theory on research utilisation qualitatively examines the interface between research findings and health policy formulation in Zanzibar. It specifically examines the application of research findings in the formulation of Zanzibar’s 2011-health policy, the linkage between policy makers and researchers in the formulation of the policy as well as the challenges that limited the use of research findings in the formulation of the policy. Data for the article were collected from 50 interviewees. The study found that the use of research findings in the formulation of the Zanzibar’s health policy was minimal and formal linkages between policy makers and researchers hardly existed to enhance evidence–based policy formulation. The limited interface between research findings and health policy formulation was attributed to lack of human and financial resources as well as commitment to establish institutions and institutional mechanisms required for furthering the same. As such, deliberate measures should be taken towards revitalisation of institutions for coordinating and furthering research within the Ministry of health and between the Ministry and researchers, increasing research and development resources and improving mobilisation of research findings and easing access of the same.