Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Factors Affecting Health Research Utilization Among Health Professionals in Nigeria

Received: 26 July 2024     Accepted: 20 August 2024     Published: 30 August 2024
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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.

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

Keywords

Health Research Utilization, Knowledge Brokers, Dissemination Practices, Barriers to Implementation, Capacity Building, Health Policy Integration

References
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Cite This Article
  • 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

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    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

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    AMA Style

    Avwerhota M, Daniel EO, Avwerhota OO, Popoola IO, Popoola TA, 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

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  • @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}
    }
    

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  • 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  - 

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