Addressing the Research Capacity Gap in Global Child, Adolescent, & Family Health Utilizing Implementation and Data Sciences

NIH RePORTER · NIH · D43 · $149,624 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Beyond mortality directly from conflict and mass displacement of populations, conflict has been associated with numerous acute and chronic health hazards including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), malnutrition, and mental health problems. For example, studies have documented high prevalence of trauma- associated mental disorders, with the most common psychiatric disorders being posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression and comorbid health problems are very common in such populations. Evidently, humanitarian settings such as refugee camps pose grave threat to public health not only for the forcibly displaced refugees but to host communities as well. Crucially, there are significant scientific questions with high public health importance that can be answered through research in humanitarian settings. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly difficult to conduct research in humanitarian settings and there is well-documented research capacity gap to help identify and develop evidence-based strategies to address the myriad of health challenges facing vulnerable refugee populations in humanitarian settings. Specifically, there is significant lack of cultural competence and limited knowledge among researchers about appropriate ethical guidelines for research among vulnerable refugee populations. Additionally, there are often barriers that make conducting research in these settings difficult including language barriers, power dynamics between researchers and refugee participants, and questions around voluntary participation and informed consent. In this regard, it is imperative to recruit and train refugees youth interested in research and build their capacity to carryon critical research focused on addressing unique health issues faced by populations in humanitarian setting. Thus, we propose employing a three-phased participatory approach involving key stakeholders like UNHCR, IRC, the Office of the Prime Minster (OPM) that is responsible for refugee welfare in Uganda, and refugees themselves to identify research capacity gaps and develop a much-needed research training curriculum focused on intervention research design, implementation, and ethical conduct of research. Then, recruit 30 refugee youth 20 to 35 years of age, with diploma, bachelor’s degree or higher to receive a 12-week structured training and conduct program evaluation. Consistent with the aims and scope of the parent grant (D43TW012275), the proposed administrative supplement will have the following aims: (1) conduct planning and consultative meetings with key stakeholders to identify research capacity gaps and opportunities to build research capacity among refugee youth residing in humanitarian settings; (2) based on data gathered in aim 1, develop a training curriculum along with key stakeholders to develop research capacity in areas of intervention research design, implementation, and ethical conduct of research; (3) recruit 3...

Key facts

NIH application ID
11145521
Project number
3D43TW012275-03S2
Recipient
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
Proscovia Nabunya
Activity code
D43
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$149,624
Award type
3
Project period
2024-07-01 → 2025-06-30