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Table 6 Barriers and facilitators to evidence- informed policies and strategies to improve evidence to policy

From: Use of health systems evidence by policymakers in eastern mediterranean countries: views, practices, and contextual influences

Barriers to evidence- informed policies (n = 446)

Facilitators to evidence- informed policies (n = 145)

Strategies to improve evidence to policy (n = 570)

·Lack of funding and investment in priority health research and in implementing evidence from research in policy

69 (16%)

·Availability of policy relevant health research

22 (15%)

·Build the capacity of policymakers in locating proper information, assessing the quality of research, its cost effectiveness and local applicability

75 (13%)

·Lack of policy relevant research

62 (14%)

·Easy access to information

16 (11%)

·Increase funding and investments in health research

7 (13%)

·Over- riding political forces

49 (11%)

·Availability of research funding

13 (9%)

·Improve dissemination and translation of research

59 (10%)

·Lack of political will, corruption, and weak administrative structure of policy making entities

49 (11%)

·Support of NGOs and international organizations that drive the use of research in policymaking

13 (9%)

·Conduct health systems research to inform policy

44 (8%)

·Lack of trained policy makers in accessing and using evidence for policy making

43 (10%)

·Availability of research centers

11 (8%)

·Establish evidence- to- policy decision support unit that supports policy makers in using research in policy.

41 (7%)

  

·Belief of policymakers in the importance of evidence

11 (8%)

·Conduct sensitization and awareness workshops on evidence- informed policymaking

40 (7%)

  

·Availability of qualified researchers

10 (7%)

·Improving contact and exchange between policymakers and researchers

31 (5%)

  

·Communication and networking between policymakers and researchers

10 (7%)

  
  

·Wide dissemination of research

10 (7%)

  
  

·Qualified policymakers

10 (7%)

  
  1. n = total number of responses to each question, respondents listed up to three responses.