Underutilization of Qualitative Evidence in the Production and Implementation of Health Policy in Developing Countries

Yonas Getaye Tefera

doi:10.5530/ijmedph.2021.4.34

Abstract

The article argues how among growing recommendation and importance of qualitative evidences, qualitative studies are still under-utilized in the development and implementation of public health policy in developing countries. It reports methodological limitations and various barriers were identified for underutilization of qualitative research in health policy and guidance.

Highlights

Qualitative methods will help for thorough understanding of health system challenges and inform public health programs by examining how is the strategy working, which is going well, what are the challenges
Despite the growing recommendation and importance of qualitative evidences, qualitative studies are still under-utilized in the development and implementation of public health policy in developing countries
Methodological limitations and various barriers were identified for underutilization of qualitative research in health policy and guidance

Summary

BACKGROUND

College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, ETHIOPIA. History Submission Date: 19-07-2021 Revised Date: 05-08-2021 Accepted Date: 02-09-2021. During emergencies and unprecedented outbreaks like COVID-19 pandemic, rapid qualitative studies can help to have quick snapshot of the multidimensional public health problems and contribute to better understanding of disease outbreaks and inform emergency response[7] For instance, a qualitative study by Yoo et al have helped to understand the global COVID-19 response similarities and differences across six countries (US, UK, China, Brazil, South Korea and Haiti) by assessing the COVID-19 guidelines in these countries.[8] This may enable to recognize how countries are responding to the current global crisis, lessons to share and will help to inform decisions of global health institutions including WHO and other UN organs to spur global efforts It will guide the decision making of public health authorities to allocate resources and set public health measures during emergency

CONCLUSION

Recommendations and mitigation strategies