Abstract
Background: There is need to strengthen institutions and mechanisms that can more systematically promote interactions
between researchers, policy-makers and other stakeholders who can influence the uptake of research findings. In this
article, we report the outcome of a two-way secondment model between Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and Ebonyi
State Ministry of Health (ESMoH) in Nigeria as an innovative collaborative strategy to promote capacity enhancement
for evidence-to-policy-to-action.
Methods: This study was an exploratory design with a quantitative cross-sectional survey technique. A secondment
memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between heads of EBSU and ESMoH. The secondment program
lasted six months with ten researchers and ten policy-makers spending up to two days per week in each other’s
organization. The secondee researchers got engaged in policy-making and implementation activities in ESMoH,
while the policy-maker secondees got involved in research activities in EBSU. Secondees evidence-to-policy capacity
enhancement meetings were held and questionnaires designed in 5-point Likert scale were used to assess their impact.
Results: The secondee policy-makers and researchers admitted having considerable knowledge of secondment with
mean ratings (MNRs) of 3.40 and 3.74 respectively on the 5 points scale. Secondment appeared to be more common in
the policy-makers’ organization (MNRs: 2.80-3.07) than in the researchers’ institution (MNRs: 2.58-2.84). The secondee
policy-makers participated in some academic and research activities including serving in research ethics committee
in EBSU and provided policy-making perspective to the activities. The secondee researchers supported the policymaking
process in ESMoH through policy advisory roles, and provided capacity enhancement for staff of the ministry
on the use of research evidence in policy-making. There was a noteworthy increase on knowledge of policy analysis
and contextualization among the secondees ranging from 20.7% to 50.4% and 31.3% to 42.8% respectively following a
training session. A Society for Health Policy Research and Knowledge Translation was established by mutual agreement
of secondees as a platform to permanently institutionalize the collaboration.
Conclusion: The outcome of this study clearly suggests that secondment has great potential in promoting evidence
informed policy-making and merits further consideration.