Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria

Michael Avwerhota; Ebenezer Obi Daniel; Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota; Taiwo Aderemi Popoola; Israel Olukayode Popoola; Adebanke Adetutu Ogun; Ahmed Mamuda Bello; Michael Olabode Tomori; Aisha Oluwakemi Salami; Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo; Olukayode Oladeji Alewi; Aremu Bukola Janet

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria

Michael Avwerhota^*

, Ebenezer Obi Daniel

, Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota

, Taiwo Aderemi Popoola

, Israel Olukayode Popoola

, Adebanke Adetutu Ogun

, Ahmed Mamuda Bello

, Michael Olabode Tomori

, Aisha Oluwakemi Salami

, Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo

, Olukayode Oladeji Alewi

, Aremu Bukola Janet

Published in American Journal of Applied Scientific Research (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 30 July 2024 Accepted: 22 August 2024 Published: 11 September 2024

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Health research utilization is essential for evidence-based policymaking and the implementation of effective health interventions. This cross-sectional study analyzes demographic factors influencing the utilization of health research in Nigeria, focusing on public health professionals and policymakers. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and used a purposive sampling method to recruit participants from various public health and health policy platforms. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Survey. The study reveals a predominant participation of female respondents (56.5%) and a mean participant age of 41.5 years, with a significant concentration in the 41-50 years age group. The majority hold a master’s degree in public health (58.5%), reflecting the high academic qualifications within the sector. Despite this, the perceived utilization of research findings is overwhelmingly poor, highlighting a substantial gap between research production and practical application. The study finds significant relationships between age and perceptions of research utilization, suggesting that mid-career professionals may have different views on the challenges and opportunities for integrating research into health policy. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance the practical application of health research, emphasizing the importance of improving access to research findings and ensuring their relevance to local contexts. This research contributes to understanding the barriers to effective knowledge translation and suggests avenues for fostering a more evidence-based approach to public health in Nigeria.

Published in	American Journal of Applied Scientific Research (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13
Page(s)	57-64
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Demographic Factors, Health Research Utilization, Public Health Professionals, Policymakers, Evidence-Based Policy-Making, Knowledge Translation

References

[1]	Hanney SR, Gonzalez-Block MA, Buxton MJ, Kogan M. The utilisation of health research in policy-making: concepts, examples and methods of assessment. Health Res Policy Syst. 2003; 1(1): 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4505-1-2
[2]	Aronson JK, Barends E, Boruch R, Brennan M, Chalmers I, Chislett J, Cunliffe-Jones P, Dahlgren A, Gaarder M, Haines A, Heneghan C, Matthews R, Maynard B, Oxman AD, Oxman M, Pullin A, Randall N, Roddam H, Schoonees A, Sharples J, Stewart R, Stott J, Tallis R, Thomas N, Vale L. Key concepts for making informed choices. Nature. 2019; 572(7769): 303-306. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-02407-9
[3]	Dobbins M, Cockerill R, Barnsley J, Ciliska D. Factors of the innovation, organization, environment, and individual that predict the influence five systematic reviews had on public health decisions. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2001; 17(4): 467-478.
[4]	Nchinda TC. Research capacity strengthening in the South. Soc Sci Med. 2002; 54(11): 1699-1711. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0277-9536(01)00338-0
[5]	Hyder AA, Corluka A, Winch PJ, El-Shinnawy A, Ghassany H, Malekafzali H, Lim MK, Mfutso-Bengo J, Segura E, Ghaffar A. National policy-makers speak out: are researchers giving them what they need? Health Policy Plan. 2011; 26(1): 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czq020
[6]	Brownson RC, Fielding JE, Maylahn CM. Evidence-based public health: a fundamental concept for public health practice. Annu Rev Public Health. 2009; 30: 175-201. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.031308.100134
[7]	Nyström ME, Karltun J, Keller C, et al. Collaborative and partnership research for improvement of health and social services: researcher’s experiences from 20 projects. Health Res Policy Syst. 2018; 16: 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-018-0322-0
[8]	Clarke MA, Fruhling AL, Sitorius M, Windle TA, Bernard TL, Windle JR. Impact of age on patients' communication and technology preferences in the era of meaningful use: mixed methods study. J Med Internet Res. 2020; 22(6): e13470. https://doi.org/10.2196/13470
[9]	Langer A, Meleis A, Knaul FM, Atun R, Aran M, Arreola-Ornelas H, Bhutta ZA, Binagwaho A, Bonita R, Caglia JM, Claeson M, Davies J, Donnay FA, Gausman JM, Glickman C, Kearns AD, Kendall T, Lozano R, Seboni N, Sen G, Sindhu S, Temin M, Frenk J. Women and health: the key for sustainable development. Lancet. 2015; 386(9999): 1165-1210. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60497-4
[10]	Kagawa-Singer M, Dadia AV, Yu MC, Surbone A. Cancer, culture, and health disparities: time to chart a new course? CA Cancer J Clin. 2010; 60(1): 12-39. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.20051
[11]	Lorenc T, Petticrew M, Whitehead M, et al. Crime, fear of crime and mental health: synthesis of theory and systematic reviews of interventions and qualitative evidence. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2014 Mar. (Public Health Research, No. 2.2.) Available from: https://doi.org/10.3310/phr02020
[12]	Haldane V, Chuah FLH, Srivastava A, Singh SR, Koh GCH, Seng CK, Legido-Quigley H. Community participation in health services development, implementation, and evaluation: a systematic review of empowerment, health, community, and process outcomes. PLoS One. 2019; 14(5): e0216112. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216112
[13]	Dobbins M, Robeson P, Ciliska D, et al. A description of a knowledge broker role implemented as part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating three knowledge translation strategies. Implementation Sci. 2009; 4: 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-4-23
[14]	Bero LA, Grilli R, Grimshaw JM, Harvey E, Oxman AD, Thomson MA. Closing the gap between research and practice: an overview of systematic reviews of interventions to promote the implementation of research findings. BMJ. 1998; 317(7156): 465-468. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.317.7156.465
[15]	World Health Organization. Delivered by women, led by men: a gender and equity analysis of the global health and social workforce. World Health Organization. 2019. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/311322
[16]	Campos-Serna J, Ronda-Pérez E, Artazcoz L, et al. Gender inequalities in occupational health related to the unequal distribution of working and employment conditions: a systematic review. Int J Equity Health. 2013; 12: 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-12-57
[17]	Sellers K, Leider JP, Gould E, Castrucci BC, Beck A, Bogaert K, Coronado F, Shah G, Yeager V, Beitsch LM, Erwin PC. The state of the US governmental public health workforce, 2014-2017. Am J Public Health. 2019; 109(5): 674-680. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305011
[18]	Gohar F, Maschmeyer P, Mfarrej B, Lemaire M, Wedderburn LR, Roncarolo MG, van Royen-Kerkhof A. Driving medical innovation through interdisciplinarity: unique opportunities and challenges. Front Med (Lausanne). 2019; 6: 35. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2019.00035
[19]	Grimshaw JM, Eccles MP, Lavis JN, et al. Knowledge translation of research findings. Implementation Sci. 2012; 7: 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-7-50
[20]	Walugembe DR, Kiwanuka SN, Matovu JKB, et al. Utilization of research findings for health policy making and practice: evidence from three case studies in Bangladesh. Health Res Policy Syst. 2015; 13: 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-015-0015-x
[21]	Hirvonen M. Research into Use: An Institutional History of The RIU Nigeria Country Programme. DFID. 2011.
[22]	Duze CO. Awareness, availability and utilization of research findings in building the education sector for sustainable development. Makerere J Higher Educ. 2011; 3(1): 91–100. https://doi.org/10.4314/majohe.v3i1.8
[23]	Stephenson R. Using research to inform health policy: barriers and strategies in developing countries. J Health Commun. 2005; 10(2): 163-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730590915128

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Avwerhota, M., Daniel, E. O., Avwerhota, O. O., Popoola, T. A., Popoola, I. O., et al. (2024). Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria. American Journal of Applied Scientific Research, 10(3), 57-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Avwerhota, M.; Daniel, E. O.; Avwerhota, O. O.; Popoola, T. A.; Popoola, I. O., et al. Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria. Am. J. Appl. Sci. Res. 2024, 10(3), 57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Avwerhota M, Daniel EO, Avwerhota OO, Popoola TA, Popoola IO, et al. Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria. Am J Appl Sci Res. 2024;10(3):57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13,
  author = {Michael Avwerhota and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota and Taiwo Aderemi Popoola and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Adebanke Adetutu Ogun and Ahmed Mamuda Bello and Michael Olabode Tomori and Aisha Oluwakemi Salami and Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo and Olukayode Oladeji Alewi and Aremu Bukola Janet},
  title = {Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria
},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Scientific Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {57-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajasr.20241003.13},
  abstract = {Health research utilization is essential for evidence-based policymaking and the implementation of effective health interventions. This cross-sectional study analyzes demographic factors influencing the utilization of health research in Nigeria, focusing on public health professionals and policymakers. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and used a purposive sampling method to recruit participants from various public health and health policy platforms. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Survey. The study reveals a predominant participation of female respondents (56.5%) and a mean participant age of 41.5 years, with a significant concentration in the 41-50 years age group. The majority hold a master’s degree in public health (58.5%), reflecting the high academic qualifications within the sector. Despite this, the perceived utilization of research findings is overwhelmingly poor, highlighting a substantial gap between research production and practical application. The study finds significant relationships between age and perceptions of research utilization, suggesting that mid-career professionals may have different views on the challenges and opportunities for integrating research into health policy. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance the practical application of health research, emphasizing the importance of improving access to research findings and ensuring their relevance to local contexts. This research contributes to understanding the barriers to effective knowledge translation and suggests avenues for fostering a more evidence-based approach to public health in Nigeria.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria

AU  - Michael Avwerhota
AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
AU  - Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota
AU  - Taiwo Aderemi Popoola
AU  - Israel Olukayode Popoola
AU  - Adebanke Adetutu Ogun
AU  - Ahmed Mamuda Bello
AU  - Michael Olabode Tomori
AU  - Aisha Oluwakemi Salami
AU  - Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo
AU  - Olukayode Oladeji Alewi
AU  - Aremu Bukola Janet
Y1  - 2024/09/11
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13
T2  - American Journal of Applied Scientific Research
JF  - American Journal of Applied Scientific Research
JO  - American Journal of Applied Scientific Research
SP  - 57
EP  - 64
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2471-9730
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13
AB  - Health research utilization is essential for evidence-based policymaking and the implementation of effective health interventions. This cross-sectional study analyzes demographic factors influencing the utilization of health research in Nigeria, focusing on public health professionals and policymakers. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and used a purposive sampling method to recruit participants from various public health and health policy platforms. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Survey. The study reveals a predominant participation of female respondents (56.5%) and a mean participant age of 41.5 years, with a significant concentration in the 41-50 years age group. The majority hold a master’s degree in public health (58.5%), reflecting the high academic qualifications within the sector. Despite this, the perceived utilization of research findings is overwhelmingly poor, highlighting a substantial gap between research production and practical application. The study finds significant relationships between age and perceptions of research utilization, suggesting that mid-career professionals may have different views on the challenges and opportunities for integrating research into health policy. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance the practical application of health research, emphasizing the importance of improving access to research findings and ensuring their relevance to local contexts. This research contributes to understanding the barriers to effective knowledge translation and suggests avenues for fostering a more evidence-based approach to public health in Nigeria.

VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Michael Avwerhota

Department of Public Health, Atlantic International University, Hawaii, United States of America

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7955-2072
Ebenezer Obi Daniel

Department of Public Health, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom; Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7286-7904
Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota

Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-5422-6519
Taiwo Aderemi Popoola

Department of Research, Smartnovation Limited, Birmingham, United Kingdom

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4111-2191
Israel Olukayode Popoola

Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0818-8576
Adebanke Adetutu Ogun

Department of Policy, Governance, Liaison, and Support, International Organization for Migration, Abuja, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9741-5514
Ahmed Mamuda Bello

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0193-1160
Michael Olabode Tomori

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0802-531X
Aisha Oluwakemi Salami

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0109-6070
Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo

Department of Health and Nutrition Sector, International Medical Corps, Kyiv, Ukraine

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0153-5475
Olukayode Oladeji Alewi

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-4674-2483
Aremu Bukola Janet

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-0270-0429

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Avwerhota, M., Daniel, E. O., Avwerhota, O. O., Popoola, T. A., Popoola, I. O., et al. (2024). Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria. American Journal of Applied Scientific Research, 10(3), 57-64. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Avwerhota, M.; Daniel, E. O.; Avwerhota, O. O.; Popoola, T. A.; Popoola, I. O., et al. Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria. Am. J. Appl. Sci. Res. 2024, 10(3), 57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Avwerhota M, Daniel EO, Avwerhota OO, Popoola TA, Popoola IO, et al. Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria. Am J Appl Sci Res. 2024;10(3):57-64. doi: 10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13,
  author = {Michael Avwerhota and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota and Taiwo Aderemi Popoola and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Adebanke Adetutu Ogun and Ahmed Mamuda Bello and Michael Olabode Tomori and Aisha Oluwakemi Salami and Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo and Olukayode Oladeji Alewi and Aremu Bukola Janet},
  title = {Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria
},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Scientific Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {57-64},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajasr.20241003.13},
  abstract = {Health research utilization is essential for evidence-based policymaking and the implementation of effective health interventions. This cross-sectional study analyzes demographic factors influencing the utilization of health research in Nigeria, focusing on public health professionals and policymakers. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and used a purposive sampling method to recruit participants from various public health and health policy platforms. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Survey. The study reveals a predominant participation of female respondents (56.5%) and a mean participant age of 41.5 years, with a significant concentration in the 41-50 years age group. The majority hold a master’s degree in public health (58.5%), reflecting the high academic qualifications within the sector. Despite this, the perceived utilization of research findings is overwhelmingly poor, highlighting a substantial gap between research production and practical application. The study finds significant relationships between age and perceptions of research utilization, suggesting that mid-career professionals may have different views on the challenges and opportunities for integrating research into health policy. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance the practical application of health research, emphasizing the importance of improving access to research findings and ensuring their relevance to local contexts. This research contributes to understanding the barriers to effective knowledge translation and suggests avenues for fostering a more evidence-based approach to public health in Nigeria.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria

AU  - Michael Avwerhota
AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
AU  - Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota
AU  - Taiwo Aderemi Popoola
AU  - Israel Olukayode Popoola
AU  - Adebanke Adetutu Ogun
AU  - Ahmed Mamuda Bello
AU  - Michael Olabode Tomori
AU  - Aisha Oluwakemi Salami
AU  - Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo
AU  - Olukayode Oladeji Alewi
AU  - Aremu Bukola Janet
Y1  - 2024/09/11
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13
T2  - American Journal of Applied Scientific Research
JF  - American Journal of Applied Scientific Research
JO  - American Journal of Applied Scientific Research
SP  - 57
EP  - 64
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2471-9730
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajasr.20241003.13
AB  - Health research utilization is essential for evidence-based policymaking and the implementation of effective health interventions. This cross-sectional study analyzes demographic factors influencing the utilization of health research in Nigeria, focusing on public health professionals and policymakers. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and used a purposive sampling method to recruit participants from various public health and health policy platforms. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Survey. The study reveals a predominant participation of female respondents (56.5%) and a mean participant age of 41.5 years, with a significant concentration in the 41-50 years age group. The majority hold a master’s degree in public health (58.5%), reflecting the high academic qualifications within the sector. Despite this, the perceived utilization of research findings is overwhelmingly poor, highlighting a substantial gap between research production and practical application. The study finds significant relationships between age and perceptions of research utilization, suggesting that mid-career professionals may have different views on the challenges and opportunities for integrating research into health policy. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance the practical application of health research, emphasizing the importance of improving access to research findings and ensuring their relevance to local contexts. This research contributes to understanding the barriers to effective knowledge translation and suggests avenues for fostering a more evidence-based approach to public health in Nigeria.

VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download