Perceived benefits, challenges, and recommendations for HIV research dissemination and implementation science efforts in Tanzania: Findings from the HIV/AIDS Research Forum brainstorming session
PMCID: PMC10022396
PMID:
Abstract
Although several international and national HIV/AIDS conferences exist, there was not a national conference in Tanzania focusing on HIV/AIDS disseminating and implementation research conducted in the country and abroad. This created a missed opportunity for researchers to share their research findings with local policymakers and HIV program implementers who can influence the adoption and implementation of promising research in public health and clinical practice settings. In response, the first HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum designed to enhance local D&I efforts for HIV research, was organized in Tanzania in 2018. This paper explores the perceived benefits of the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum and potential challenges of developing similar forums and recommendation for future HIV research D&I conference in Tanzania. During the second day of the Forum, which was held in September 2018 in Morogoro, Tanzania, a 1-hour structured brainstorming session was conducted with the Forum attendees (n = 50), including researchers, medical professionals, policymakers, representatives from different ministries. Transcription of the brainstorming session was analyzed to identify benefits of the Forum, perceived challenges for organizing similar HIV/AIDS research dissemination events, and recommendations for addressing the challenges. Overall, participants perceived the forum to be beneficial because it provided opportunities for strategic collaborations between researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders and for them to discuss challenges for D&I efforts. Forum attendees also identified several potential challenges for future D&I research forums such as the abstract requirement which may deter non-researchers, costs, meeting frequencies, and lack of funding and coordination between organizations involved in D&I research efforts. To address these concerns, a recommendation was made to host a biennial national conference in order to allow more time for ethical review and feedback that can enhance contribution of the project to D&I efforts and to raise funds. The benefits identified for the Forum highlight the importance of organizing similar D&I meetings for HIV-related research at the national level in Tanzania. However, the potential challenges discussed need to be addressed in order to develop a sustainable national D&I research conference by incorporating recommendations that forum attendees proposed.
Full Text
Although significant progress has been made to address the burden of HIV/AIDS, it remains a pressing public health issue in Tanzania [1]. In Tanzania, only 960,000 people were aware of their HIV status and an estimated 1.4 million people are living with HIV [2]. The significant social and economic impacts of the epidemic can be observed in the loss of human capital and the damaging effects on the country’s institutional capacity [1]. In response, international and local stakeholders, including the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS), and its partners monitor trends, risk factors, and the prevalence of HIV infection, alongside initiatives to guide strategic planning in the fight against HIV/AIDS [2, 3].
TACAIDS is a government organization established by the late President Benjamin Mkapa in 2000 to coordinate the efforts of stakeholders in the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS in Tanzania [3]. In 2001, TACAIDS developed the national policy on HIV/AIDS [2, 3]. The National Multisectoral Strategic Framework was developed to organize and coordinate the contributions of stakeholders to the HIV/AIDS response in Tanzania and to address the damaging and nationwide impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic [3]. Since its establishment, the organization has taken a strategic leadership role in communicating information about HIV/AIDS. TACAIDS collaborates with several domestic and international partners such as the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to disseminate comprehensive population and health surveys, and implements programs to combat the damaging social, economic, and health-related effects of HIV/AIDS [2, 3]. For example, TACAIDS, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, and the National Institute for Medical Research at Muhimbili Medical Research Centre developed the 2018–2020 Male Catch-Up Plan [4] to guide implementation research [5–9] and national programs to increase HIV testing services uptake among men in Tanzania. In addition, TACAIDS has supported the formative research needed to disseminate and implement HIV self-testing interventions and programs in Tanzania [7].
In an effort to enhance the local dissemination and implementation of HIV-related research in Tanzania, TACAIDS organized the first HIV/AIDS Research Forum, which was held on September 2018 in Morogoro, Tanzania. There has been an increase in the interest for dissemination and implementation (D&I) science with institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) providing support through research fundings, conferences, and workshops [10] similar to the HIV/AIDS Research Forum organized by TACAIDS. For example, the NIH has organized several meetings to support the advancement of the science of D&I [11]. One of the most notable ongoing D&I meetings is the annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation [12]. In addition, several other institutions and international associations have supported HIV-related D&I science efforts such as the Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance and international HIV conferences [13–20].
Dissemination is defined as an active approach of spreading evidence-based-interventions (EBIs) to non-researchers such as policymakers, clinicians, and public health practitioners using different engagement strategies [21, 22]. The goal of the science of D&I is to address the barriers that prevent the translation of research findings into clinical and public health practices [22]. However, prior research has found dissemination efforts among academics to be poor and identified numerous barriers to dissemination of EBIs by academics to non-research audience, which hinder the implementation of research findings into practice [23, 24]. The barriers for dissemination include, but are not limited to, lack of practice experience among academics, limited support and funds for researchers who might want to disseminate their research findings [23–25]. Local face-to-face meetings with stakeholders such as policymakers, clinical service providers, and community members are crucial because researchers rated these meetings as the most impactful for dissemination efforts and translation of research findings into practice and policy [26]. In addition, guidelines for dissemination efforts developed by the Community Advisory Board of the University of California, San Francisco, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies strongly support the dissemination of research findings by researchers to policymakers and other non-researchers through different forums [27].
Although a variety of international and national HIV/AIDS conferences exist [13–19], there was no nationally coordinated effort designed to organize meetings for dissemination of HIV-related research in Tanzania before the first HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum. Similar to the meetings organized by the NIH and other organizations to support researchers and other stakeholders interested in D&I efforts [11], TACAIDS organized the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum to support researchers and representatives from various organizations who are interested in D&I for HIV-related research. The objectives of the Forum were to: 1) disseminate HIV research findings and exchange of knowledge and generate insights and challenges into issues facing HIV research; 2) document key research findings related to policy direction and decision-making and; 3) discuss next steps for intervention implementation of EBIs for and HIV prevention, treatment, and care in the country.
The project design consisted of a brainstorming session followed by an exploratory analysis of the qualitative data from the session. Brainstorming has been used in other studies and several recommendations for how to use the technique have been reported [28]. To prepare for the brainstorming session, the team members met (DFC, JI, AMK) prior to the forum to develop the discussion guide based on the literature on similar brainstorming sessions that have occurred with program implementing partners, researchers, and policymakers at different D&I conferences. In particular, the discussion guide was informed by the brainstorming session and group structured activities conducted by co-author (EE) with stakeholders who attended the first national conference organized by the Nigerian Implementation Science Alliance to assess barriers and research gaps related to sustainable interventions and implementation strategies related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment [29]. Building on this research, the academic- practice partnership [30], and prior research projects [4, 7] between TACAIDS and researchers at the National Institute of Medical Research in Tanzania and different universities in the United States, the discussion guide was developed in consultation with TACAIDS’s leadership for review, suggestions, and approval before the forum.
The epistemological and ontological assumptions of the brainstorming session are based on pragmatism which posits that knowledge may be discovered by examining the usefulness of theory in practice [31]. Because pragmatism sees knowledge as contextually contingent, a group discussion, such as the one used in this study, can provide valuable information regarding central topics for which stakeholders might have different perceptions [31]. For pragmatists, reality is that which is practical [31]. Because knowledge is derived, in part, from analyzing the interaction among a group of individuals, the brainstorming session is a pragmatic way to activate a range of ideas regarding the perceived benefits of the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum as well as challenges of organizing future forums and recommendations for addressing these challenges. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used to ensure the reporting of the study procedures and findings are consistent with the guideline (S1 File) [32].
The analysis was underpinned in a pragmatism methodological orientation and included a descriptive qualitative analysis [31]. The focus of the analysis was to understandthe perceived benefits of the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum as well as challenges of organizing future forums and recommendations for addressing these challenges. The research assistants (SS, JV, RR, AO) transcribed the audio-recording of the brainstorming session and reviewed the transcript while listening to the audio-recording multiple to verify the transcribed data were accurate. After the transcription phase, the experienced team member (DFC) provided training in qualitative data analysis to the research assistantsin multiple one-hour session over three weeks covering how to develop a codebook, apply codes to the data, identify inductive codes, and reporting the primary and sub-codes. The combination of deductive and inductive coding was informed by the Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers [33]. Deductive codes were used namely perceived benefits, challenges, and recommendations which were in a previous qualitative research conducted in partnership with TACAIDS on HIV self-testing in Tanzania [7], with primary and sub-code definitions and quotes supporting these codes [34]. SS, JV, RR, and AO coded the transcripts in analytical phases by applying deductive codes but also identifying emerging codes. Deductive codes are a priori codes selected from the literature review and our prior research whereas the emerging codes are inductive codes that came from the specific responses from the attendees. Coders reviewed the data and applied these structural codes with at least two research assistants coding a subset of the transcript and comparing their respective codes during consensus-coding meetings to resolve any discrepancies. In the second phase, single code reports were generated and reviewed before refining the codes and creating sub-codes related to the deductive codes which included: 1) perceived benefits of hosting HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum; 2) perceived challenges of hosting similar forums; and 3) recommendations for overcoming these challenges. Inductive subcodes related to each primary deductive code were reviewed and assessed to create primary categories, which were used to structure the Results section. Quotations for each subcode were reviewed and grouped to better understand and demonstrate the range of content addressing the primary deductive code in question. A positionality memo was generated to track the researcher’s (DFC’s) identity in relation to the topic and the data and to help ensure that the coding process did not inaccurately impose topics on the data. The research assistants met regularly with the experienced team member (DFC) to ensure analytic rigor and establish agreement regarding code definitions, code application, and sub-codes. This analytic rigor helped to ensure trustworthiness of our coding and final analysis.
To our knowledge, this is the first study designed to explore the perceived benefits of an HIV/AIDS D&I Resarch Forum in Tanzania, assess potential challenges associated with organizing similar forums, and seek recommendations on how to develop future forums. The main perceived benefit of the forum was the promotion of collaborative relationships among stakeholders from different sectors. A related benefit was also providing the non-academic space recommended [27] for researchers to disseminate research findings to policymakers, practitioners, and healthcare providers who can translate research findings into policies and adoption of interventions to public health and clinical practice settings [11, 35]. This finding is also supported by a study conducted in Bostwana which found that the inclusion of high-level government representatives from different ministries in the Madikwe Forum has fostered a platform for informed discussion about HIV-related programming and implementation that have been helpful in reducing bottlenecks that can prevent timely and effective implementation of projects [36]. Another benefit of the forum and brainstorming session was that participants also had a chance to discuss challenges of planning activities such as the HIV research forum in Tanzania to support the dissemination and implementation of EBIs for HIV prevention, care, and treatment.
Similarly, other forums such as the meetings organized by the Nigerian Implementation Science Alliance have provided stakeholders an opportunity to identity challenges of implementing EBIs for HIV prevention programs [29]. The challenges reported by stakeholders at the forum such as the lack of coordination between government, program implementers, and researchers parallel some of the obstacles identified at the D&I forum for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programs in Nigeria [29]. The need for D&I forums similar to the HIV/AIDS Research Forum is supported by the positive outcomes from prior but smaller meetings that were organized by TACAIDS to address low HIV services uptake among men. For example, TACAIDS organized smaller D&I meetings to address the challenge of reaching men and these gatherings resulted in the development of the Male Catch-Up Plan [4], which consisted of different EBIs such as HIV self-testing that have since been implemented to reach men with the support of policymakers, implementing partners, and donors in Tanzania and other sub-Sahara African countries [37–39].
One of the objectives of organizing larger meetings such as the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum is to provide different stakeholders an opportunity to collaborate and identify challenges preventing the implementation of EBIs for different hard-to-reach groups in Tanzania and develop strategies based on existing EBIs and local research conducted in Tanzania that can be implemented and scaled up similar to the Male Catch-Up Plan [4]. However, stakeholders raised a number of concerns for such forums such as the potential poor attendance of policymakers and other non-researchers because of the abstract requirements for the D&I forums. Poor attendance of high-level representatives has been observed at other forums such as the Madikwe Forum in Bostwatna [36]. The potential poor attendance of policymakers and different ministries is a valid concern, especially for researchers, since policymakers have the decision-making power but are not usually present in research meetings. Recommendations to enhance attendance from policymakers and non-researchers included the removal of the abstract requirement. Another recommendation that can improve attendance for similar forums in Tanzania and other low middle-income countries (LMICs) is having the meeting less frequently such as every two years, which supports the findings from the Madikwe Forum in Bostwatna [36].
Sections
"[{\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref001\", \"pgph.0000952.ref002\", \"pgph.0000952.ref001\", \"pgph.0000952.ref002\", \"pgph.0000952.ref003\"], \"section\": \"Introduction\", \"text\": \"Although significant progress has been made to address the burden of HIV/AIDS, it remains a pressing public health issue in Tanzania [1]. In Tanzania, only 960,000 people were aware of their HIV status and an estimated 1.4 million people are living with HIV [2]. The significant social and economic impacts of the epidemic can be observed in the loss of human capital and the damaging effects on the country\\u2019s institutional capacity [1]. In response, international and local stakeholders, including the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS), and its partners monitor trends, risk factors, and the prevalence of HIV infection, alongside initiatives to guide strategic planning in the fight against HIV/AIDS [2, 3].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref003\", \"pgph.0000952.ref002\", \"pgph.0000952.ref003\", \"pgph.0000952.ref003\", \"pgph.0000952.ref002\", \"pgph.0000952.ref003\", \"pgph.0000952.ref004\", \"pgph.0000952.ref005\", \"pgph.0000952.ref009\", \"pgph.0000952.ref007\"], \"section\": \"Introduction\", \"text\": \"TACAIDS is a government organization established by the late President Benjamin Mkapa in 2000 to coordinate the efforts of stakeholders in the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS in Tanzania [3]. In 2001, TACAIDS developed the national policy on HIV/AIDS [2, 3]. The National Multisectoral Strategic Framework was developed to organize and coordinate the contributions of stakeholders to the HIV/AIDS response in Tanzania and to address the damaging and nationwide impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic [3]. Since its establishment, the organization has taken a strategic leadership role in communicating information about HIV/AIDS. TACAIDS collaborates with several domestic and international partners such as the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to disseminate comprehensive population and health surveys, and implements programs to combat the damaging social, economic, and health-related effects of HIV/AIDS [2, 3]. For example, TACAIDS, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, and the National Institute for Medical Research at Muhimbili Medical Research Centre developed the 2018\\u20132020 Male Catch-Up Plan [4] to guide implementation research [5\\u20139] and national programs to increase HIV testing services uptake among men in Tanzania. In addition, TACAIDS has supported the formative research needed to disseminate and implement HIV self-testing interventions and programs in Tanzania [7].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref010\", \"pgph.0000952.ref011\", \"pgph.0000952.ref012\", \"pgph.0000952.ref013\", \"pgph.0000952.ref020\"], \"section\": \"Introduction\", \"text\": \"In an effort to enhance the local dissemination and implementation of HIV-related research in Tanzania, TACAIDS organized the first HIV/AIDS Research Forum, which was held on September 2018 in Morogoro, Tanzania. There has been an increase in the interest for dissemination and implementation (D&I) science with institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) providing support through research fundings, conferences, and workshops [10] similar to the HIV/AIDS Research Forum organized by TACAIDS. For example, the NIH has organized several meetings to support the advancement of the science of D&I [11]. One of the most notable ongoing D&I meetings is the annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation [12]. In addition, several other institutions and international associations have supported HIV-related D&I science efforts such as the Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance and international HIV conferences [13\\u201320].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref021\", \"pgph.0000952.ref022\", \"pgph.0000952.ref022\", \"pgph.0000952.ref023\", \"pgph.0000952.ref024\", \"pgph.0000952.ref023\", \"pgph.0000952.ref025\", \"pgph.0000952.ref026\", \"pgph.0000952.ref027\"], \"section\": \"Introduction\", \"text\": \"Dissemination is defined as an active approach of spreading evidence-based-interventions (EBIs) to non-researchers such as policymakers, clinicians, and public health practitioners using different engagement strategies [21, 22]. The goal of the science of D&I is to address the barriers that prevent the translation of research findings into clinical and public health practices [22]. However, prior research has found dissemination efforts among academics to be poor and identified numerous barriers to dissemination of EBIs by academics to non-research audience, which hinder the implementation of research findings into practice [23, 24]. The barriers for dissemination include, but are not limited to, lack of practice experience among academics, limited support and funds for researchers who might want to disseminate their research findings [23\\u201325]. Local face-to-face meetings with stakeholders such as policymakers, clinical service providers, and community members are crucial because researchers rated these meetings as the most impactful for dissemination efforts and translation of research findings into practice and policy [26]. In addition, guidelines for dissemination efforts developed by the Community Advisory Board of the University of California, San Francisco, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies strongly support the dissemination of research findings by researchers to policymakers and other non-researchers through different forums [27].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref013\", \"pgph.0000952.ref019\", \"pgph.0000952.ref011\"], \"section\": \"Introduction\", \"text\": \"Although a variety of international and national HIV/AIDS conferences exist [13\\u201319], there was no nationally coordinated effort designed to organize meetings for dissemination of HIV-related research in Tanzania before the first HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum. Similar to the meetings organized by the NIH and other organizations to support researchers and other stakeholders interested in D&I efforts [11], TACAIDS organized the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum to support researchers and representatives from various organizations who are interested in D&I for HIV-related research. The objectives of the Forum were to: 1) disseminate HIV research findings and exchange of knowledge and generate insights and challenges into issues facing HIV research; 2) document key research findings related to policy direction and decision-making and; 3) discuss next steps for intervention implementation of EBIs for and HIV prevention, treatment, and care in the country.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref028\", \"pgph.0000952.ref029\", \"pgph.0000952.ref030\", \"pgph.0000952.ref004\", \"pgph.0000952.ref007\"], \"section\": \"Design and procedures\", \"text\": \"The project design consisted of a brainstorming session followed by an exploratory analysis of the qualitative data from the session. Brainstorming has been used in other studies and several recommendations for how to use the technique have been reported [28]. To prepare for the brainstorming session, the team members met (DFC, JI, AMK) prior to the forum to develop the discussion guide based on the literature on similar brainstorming sessions that have occurred with program implementing partners, researchers, and policymakers at different D&I conferences. In particular, the discussion guide was informed by the brainstorming session and group structured activities conducted by co-author (EE) with stakeholders who attended the first national conference organized by the Nigerian Implementation Science Alliance to assess barriers and research gaps related to sustainable interventions and implementation strategies related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment [29]. Building on this research, the academic- practice partnership [30], and prior research projects [4, 7] between TACAIDS and researchers at the National Institute of Medical Research in Tanzania and different universities in the United States, the discussion guide was developed in consultation with TACAIDS\\u2019s leadership for review, suggestions, and approval before the forum.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref031\", \"pgph.0000952.ref031\", \"pgph.0000952.ref031\", \"pgph.0000952.s001\", \"pgph.0000952.ref032\"], \"section\": \"Design and procedures\", \"text\": \"The epistemological and ontological assumptions of the brainstorming session are based on pragmatism which posits that knowledge may be discovered by examining the usefulness of theory in practice [31]. Because pragmatism sees knowledge as contextually contingent, a group discussion, such as the one used in this study, can provide valuable information regarding central topics for which stakeholders might have different perceptions [31]. For pragmatists, reality is that which is practical [31]. Because knowledge is derived, in part, from analyzing the interaction among a group of individuals, the brainstorming session is a pragmatic way to activate a range of ideas regarding the perceived benefits of the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum as well as challenges of organizing future forums and recommendations for addressing these challenges. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used to ensure the reporting of the study procedures and findings are consistent with the guideline (S1 File) [32].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref031\", \"pgph.0000952.ref033\", \"pgph.0000952.ref007\", \"pgph.0000952.ref034\"], \"section\": \"Data analysis\", \"text\": \"The analysis was underpinned in a pragmatism methodological orientation and included a descriptive qualitative analysis [31]. The focus of the analysis was to understandthe perceived benefits of the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum as well as challenges of organizing future forums and recommendations for addressing these challenges. The research assistants (SS, JV, RR, AO) transcribed the audio-recording of the brainstorming session and reviewed the transcript while listening to the audio-recording multiple to verify the transcribed data were accurate. After the transcription phase, the experienced team member (DFC) provided training in qualitative data analysis to the research assistantsin multiple one-hour session over three weeks covering how to develop a codebook, apply codes to the data, identify inductive codes, and reporting the primary and sub-codes. The combination of deductive and inductive coding was informed by the Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers [33]. Deductive codes were used namely perceived benefits, challenges, and recommendations which were in a previous qualitative research conducted in partnership with TACAIDS on HIV self-testing in Tanzania [7], with primary and sub-code definitions and quotes supporting these codes [34]. SS, JV, RR, and AO coded the transcripts in analytical phases by applying deductive codes but also identifying emerging codes. Deductive codes are a priori codes selected from the literature review and our prior research whereas the emerging codes are inductive codes that came from the specific responses from the attendees. Coders reviewed the data and applied these structural codes with at least two research assistants coding a subset of the transcript and comparing their respective codes during consensus-coding meetings to resolve any discrepancies. In the second phase, single code reports were generated and reviewed before refining the codes and creating sub-codes related to the deductive codes which included: 1) perceived benefits of hosting HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum; 2) perceived challenges of hosting similar forums; and 3) recommendations for overcoming these challenges. Inductive subcodes related to each primary deductive code were reviewed and assessed to create primary categories, which were used to structure the Results section. Quotations for each subcode were reviewed and grouped to better understand and demonstrate the range of content addressing the primary deductive code in question. A positionality memo was generated to track the researcher\\u2019s (DFC\\u2019s) identity in relation to the topic and the data and to help ensure that the coding process did not inaccurately impose topics on the data. The research assistants met regularly with the experienced team member (DFC) to ensure analytic rigor and establish agreement regarding code definitions, code application, and sub-codes. This analytic rigor helped to ensure trustworthiness of our coding and final analysis.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref027\", \"pgph.0000952.ref011\", \"pgph.0000952.ref035\", \"pgph.0000952.ref036\"], \"section\": \"Discussion\", \"text\": \"To our knowledge, this is the first study designed to explore the perceived benefits of an HIV/AIDS D&I Resarch Forum in Tanzania, assess potential challenges associated with organizing similar forums, and seek recommendations on how to develop future forums. The main perceived benefit of the forum was the promotion of collaborative relationships among stakeholders from different sectors. A related benefit was also providing the non-academic space recommended [27] for researchers to disseminate research findings to policymakers, practitioners, and healthcare providers who can translate research findings into policies and adoption of interventions to public health and clinical practice settings [11, 35]. This finding is also supported by a study conducted in Bostwana which found that the inclusion of high-level government representatives from different ministries in the Madikwe Forum has fostered a platform for informed discussion about HIV-related programming and implementation that have been helpful in reducing bottlenecks that can prevent timely and effective implementation of projects [36]. Another benefit of the forum and brainstorming session was that participants also had a chance to discuss challenges of planning activities such as the HIV research forum in Tanzania to support the dissemination and implementation of EBIs for HIV prevention, care, and treatment.\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref029\", \"pgph.0000952.ref029\", \"pgph.0000952.ref004\", \"pgph.0000952.ref037\", \"pgph.0000952.ref039\"], \"section\": \"Discussion\", \"text\": \"Similarly, other forums such as the meetings organized by the Nigerian Implementation Science Alliance have provided stakeholders an opportunity to identity challenges of implementing EBIs for HIV prevention programs [29]. The challenges reported by stakeholders at the forum such as the lack of coordination between government, program implementers, and researchers parallel some of the obstacles identified at the D&I forum for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programs in Nigeria [29]. The need for D&I forums similar to the HIV/AIDS Research Forum is supported by the positive outcomes from prior but smaller meetings that were organized by TACAIDS to address low HIV services uptake among men. For example, TACAIDS organized smaller D&I meetings to address the challenge of reaching men and these gatherings resulted in the development of the Male Catch-Up Plan [4], which consisted of different EBIs such as HIV self-testing that have since been implemented to reach men with the support of policymakers, implementing partners, and donors in Tanzania and other sub-Sahara African countries [37\\u201339].\"}, {\"pmc\": \"PMC10022396\", \"pmid\": \"\", \"reference_ids\": [\"pgph.0000952.ref004\", \"pgph.0000952.ref036\", \"pgph.0000952.ref036\"], \"section\": \"Discussion\", \"text\": \"One of the objectives of organizing larger meetings such as the HIV/AIDS D&I Research Forum is to provide different stakeholders an opportunity to collaborate and identify challenges preventing the implementation of EBIs for different hard-to-reach groups in Tanzania and develop strategies based on existing EBIs and local research conducted in Tanzania that can be implemented and scaled up similar to the Male Catch-Up Plan [4]. However, stakeholders raised a number of concerns for such forums such as the potential poor attendance of policymakers and other non-researchers because of the abstract requirements for the D&I forums. Poor attendance of high-level representatives has been observed at other forums such as the Madikwe Forum in Bostwatna [36]. The potential poor attendance of policymakers and different ministries is a valid concern, especially for researchers, since policymakers have the decision-making power but are not usually present in research meetings. Recommendations to enhance attendance from policymakers and non-researchers included the removal of the abstract requirement. Another recommendation that can improve attendance for similar forums in Tanzania and other low middle-income countries (LMICs) is having the meeting less frequently such as every two years, which supports the findings from the Madikwe Forum in Bostwatna [36].\"}]"
Metadata
"{\"Data Availability\": \"The data supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article.\"}"