The utilization of health research in clinical practice is hindered by individual, organizational, and systemic barriers, including insufficient research literacy and unsupportive organizational cultures. Enhancing research literacy, fostering supportive environments, and implementing evidence-based policies are crucial for bridging the gap between research and practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This study investigates the factors affecting health research utilization among health professionals in Nigeria, an essential aspect for advancing healthcare systems and patient outcomes. Utilizing a cross-sectional descriptive design, data were collected via an online survey distributed to public health professionals and policymakers. The survey explored demographics, research utilization, dissemination effectiveness, barriers, and recommendations for improvement. Key findings indicate significant demographic disparities, with a higher proportion of younger and non-public health degree holders reporting unused research findings. The study identified major barriers, including inadequate communication, poor dissemination practices, and lack of access to research findings. Despite 87.6% of respondents conducting potentially impactful research, only 13.6% reported actual utilization of their findings. The recommendations for improvement emphasized the role of knowledge brokers, fostering research-attuned and decision-relevant cultures, enhancing communication and interaction between researchers and users, and building capacity among all stakeholders. Additionally, establishing effective dissemination systems, securing funding, and promoting international collaboration were highlighted as critical strategies. The study underscores the necessity of addressing structural, cultural, and communicative barriers to improve the practical application of health research in Nigeria, aligning with global trends and literature advocating for a multifaceted approach to enhance health outcomes.
Published in | American Journal of Health Research (Volume 12, Issue 4) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14 |
Page(s) | 95-103 |
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 |
Health Research Utilization, Knowledge Brokers, Dissemination Practices, Barriers to Implementation, Capacity Building, Health Policy Integration
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APA Style
Avwerhota, M., Daniel, E. O., Avwerhota, O. O., Popoola, I. O., Popoola, T. A., et al. (2024). Factors Affecting Health Research Utilization Among Health Professionals in Nigeria. American Journal of Health Research, 12(4), 95-103. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14
ACS Style
Avwerhota, M.; Daniel, E. O.; Avwerhota, O. O.; Popoola, I. O.; Popoola, T. A., et al. Factors Affecting Health Research Utilization Among Health Professionals in Nigeria. Am. J. Health Res. 2024, 12(4), 95-103. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14
@article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14, author = {Michael Avwerhota and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Taiwo Aderemi 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 = {Factors Affecting Health Research Utilization Among Health Professionals in Nigeria }, journal = {American Journal of Health Research}, volume = {12}, number = {4}, pages = {95-103}, doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20241204.14}, abstract = {The utilization of health research in clinical practice is hindered by individual, organizational, and systemic barriers, including insufficient research literacy and unsupportive organizational cultures. Enhancing research literacy, fostering supportive environments, and implementing evidence-based policies are crucial for bridging the gap between research and practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This study investigates the factors affecting health research utilization among health professionals in Nigeria, an essential aspect for advancing healthcare systems and patient outcomes. Utilizing a cross-sectional descriptive design, data were collected via an online survey distributed to public health professionals and policymakers. The survey explored demographics, research utilization, dissemination effectiveness, barriers, and recommendations for improvement. Key findings indicate significant demographic disparities, with a higher proportion of younger and non-public health degree holders reporting unused research findings. The study identified major barriers, including inadequate communication, poor dissemination practices, and lack of access to research findings. Despite 87.6% of respondents conducting potentially impactful research, only 13.6% reported actual utilization of their findings. The recommendations for improvement emphasized the role of knowledge brokers, fostering research-attuned and decision-relevant cultures, enhancing communication and interaction between researchers and users, and building capacity among all stakeholders. Additionally, establishing effective dissemination systems, securing funding, and promoting international collaboration were highlighted as critical strategies. The study underscores the necessity of addressing structural, cultural, and communicative barriers to improve the practical application of health research in Nigeria, aligning with global trends and literature advocating for a multifaceted approach to enhance health outcomes. }, year = {2024} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Factors Affecting Health Research Utilization Among Health Professionals in Nigeria AU - Michael Avwerhota AU - Ebenezer Obi Daniel AU - Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota AU - Israel Olukayode Popoola AU - Taiwo Aderemi 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 - 2024/08/30 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14 DO - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14 T2 - American Journal of Health Research JF - American Journal of Health Research JO - American Journal of Health Research SP - 95 EP - 103 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2330-8796 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20241204.14 AB - The utilization of health research in clinical practice is hindered by individual, organizational, and systemic barriers, including insufficient research literacy and unsupportive organizational cultures. Enhancing research literacy, fostering supportive environments, and implementing evidence-based policies are crucial for bridging the gap between research and practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This study investigates the factors affecting health research utilization among health professionals in Nigeria, an essential aspect for advancing healthcare systems and patient outcomes. Utilizing a cross-sectional descriptive design, data were collected via an online survey distributed to public health professionals and policymakers. The survey explored demographics, research utilization, dissemination effectiveness, barriers, and recommendations for improvement. Key findings indicate significant demographic disparities, with a higher proportion of younger and non-public health degree holders reporting unused research findings. The study identified major barriers, including inadequate communication, poor dissemination practices, and lack of access to research findings. Despite 87.6% of respondents conducting potentially impactful research, only 13.6% reported actual utilization of their findings. The recommendations for improvement emphasized the role of knowledge brokers, fostering research-attuned and decision-relevant cultures, enhancing communication and interaction between researchers and users, and building capacity among all stakeholders. Additionally, establishing effective dissemination systems, securing funding, and promoting international collaboration were highlighted as critical strategies. The study underscores the necessity of addressing structural, cultural, and communicative barriers to improve the practical application of health research in Nigeria, aligning with global trends and literature advocating for a multifaceted approach to enhance health outcomes. VL - 12 IS - 4 ER -