The Access to research findings in maternal and child health policy development in the ministry of health Timor Leste

PINTO, Basilio Martins, Prof. dr. M. Hakimi, SpOG.,PhD

2010 | Tesis | S2 Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat

Background: A newly established, the Ministry of Health, with its shortcoming human resources faces challenges in implementing the programs, and performs its role as a managerial or decision maker which is setting up policies and strategies. An evidence-based policy, in the strategy formulation and decision making is exceedingly important, and the research findings access and utilization is increasingly catches the attention of an international concern (Davis et al, 2004). In spite of. a lot of researches have been done in Timor-Leste for instance Household survey, Multi-cluster Indicator Survey and Demographic Health Survey there is an indication the research findings utilization is low. Based on the researcher preliminary observation to a number of relevant departments within the Ministry of Health, and District Health Offices, whether they used a researches finding for their policy and strategies development or reviewed. The study was designed to understand the underlying barriers why the decision makers are not access to research findings in turn used it for their policy development and day-to-day management decision-making. Objective: The aim of the study is to understand the access to research findings, involve in dissemination, and involve in policy-strategies development and decision making on maternal reproductive health, and access to internet and the Ministry of Health's website. Method: The study is applied a quantitative and qualitative methods research design. Its research subjects involve a district health management team in all 13 districts across the country particularly the senior midwife coordinator. In addition to a survey, in-depth interviews with key person both the senior district midwife coordinator and the head of policy department at central level, (Sastroasmoro, 2008). Results: The survey shows that 84 percent the senior midwifes were not attended any research findings dissemination seminars. There is no budget for research activities including dissemination. The study also found that all 13 health district offices have not had any bookshelves. However, the Ministry of Health has its website with the aim to facilitate access to research findings and any scientific documents but the fact no internet access broadly available to staffs. This situation leads to lack of access to research findings, obviously affect the knowledge and understanding of the staffs in decision making and policy fomiutation, The qualitative data shows that there are limited roles of departments within the Ministry of Health in facilitating distribution and dissemination research findings to staffs in districts or within the departments. ConclusionL Thu study concludes that there was limited access to research findings. There was no designated budget for research activities include access and dissemination. There was a knowledge gap between research participants and an experts or researchers. This knowledge gap is affecting their communication to each other and further jeopardizes the participants' Involvement in the research activities. There was no an internet access at the district level, therefore, midwifes have not access to the Ministry of Health's Website.

Kata Kunci : Research findings,Access,Dissemination