Integrated Knowledge Translation for Non-Communicable Diseases: Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) is a key strategy for contextualising, tailoring, and communicating research for policy and practice. In this viewpoint, we provide examples of how partners from five countries in sub-Saharan Africa used IKT to advance interventions for curbing non-communicable diseases in their contexts and how these strategies were magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic in some cases. The stories highlight the importance of deliberate and reinforced capacity building, authentic relationship enhancement, adaptable and user-informed stakeholder engagement, and agile multi-sectoral involvement.

Keywords

• evidence-informed decision-making
• integrated knowledge translation
• citizen engagement
• non-communicable disease
• south africa
• malawi
• ethiopia
• rwanda
• uganda
• evidence use
• network
• stakeholder engagement