Strengthening capacity to research the social determinants of health in low- and middle-income countries: lessons from the INTREC programme

Abstract

Author(s): 

Nicholas Henschke, Anna Mirny, Joke A Haafkens, Heribert Ramroth, Siwi Padmawati, Martin Bangha, Lisa Berkman, Laksono Trisnantoro, Yulia Blomstedt, Heiko Becher, Osman Sankoh, Peter Byass and John Kinsman

Abstract

The INDEPTH Training & Research Centres of Excellence (INTREC) collaboration developed a training programme to strengthen social determinants of health (SDH) research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It was piloted among health- and demographic researchers from 9 countries in Africa and Asia. The programme followed a blended learning approach and was split into three consecutive teaching blocks over a 12-month period: 1) an online course of 7 video lectures and assignments on the theory of SDH research; 2) a 2-week qualitative and quantitative methods workshop; and 3) a 1-week data analysis workshop. This report aims to summarise the student evaluations of the pilot and to suggest key lessons for future approaches to strengthen SDH research capacity in LMICs.