Reported needs of information resources, research tools, connectivity and infrastructure among African Pharmacological Scientists to improve future patient care and health

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The potentials of Africa for growth and economic transformation through science remains challenging because of existing gaps in knowledge and infrastructure. The Africa Pharmacological Science Gateway project and the Medicines Utilization Research in Africa Group seek to meet the research needs of African pharmacologists. This study aimed at identifying priority needs that might be met by access to information and tools through e-infrastructure.

Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study among 472 members of pharmacological societies in Africa to obtain information on their research interests and skills, available resources, needs, and knowledge gaps. Descriptive analyses were done.

Results: A total of 118 responses from 13 countries were received, mostly from Nigeria (48.3%) and South Africa (21.3%). Respondents had wide ranges of research interests predominantly in drug utilization research. The desired resources included drug utilization research training and tools, pharmacokinetics and pharmacometrics modeling training and tools, drug–drug interaction and medicine prices resources, statistical analysis resources, access to journals, training in specific laboratory techniques, equipment and funding for research-related activities.

Conclusions: Key areas of needs not currently provided by the African Pharmacological Science Gateway e-infrastructure were identified to guide the further provision of resources on the e-infrastructure and potentially enhance research capacity within the continent.

KEYWORDS:

• African pharmacologists
• e-infrastructure
• priority needs
• Africa Pharmacological Science Gateway

Article highlights

• Despite the progress being made in recent years, there still exists digital, knowledge, and infrastructural gaps in Africa countries which if addressed could unlock the potentials of these nations for growth, economic transformation, and improved health care driven by researches targeted towards solving the multiple problems confronting the continent.

• The African Pharmacological Science Gateway (APSG) and the Medicines Utilization Research in Africa (MURIA) Group sought to identify through a web-based survey the currently available research capacity, skills, and resources as well as specific priority areas of needs of African Pharmacological Scientists that could be fulfilled by access to information and tools through e-infrastructures so as to improve their research capacities that could translate into improved patient care in the future.

• A total of 118 out of the 472 invited scientists responded (25% response rate) indicating diverse areas of research interests and activities that reflect the prevailing health challenges of the continent as well as priority areas of donor agencies.

• The expressed priority needs and knowledge gaps included training in specific research areas such as drug utilization and qualitative research, access to specific tools and resources online, various laboratory equipment and infrastructure, as well as funding and networking opportunities.

• The identified areas of need will guide the further provision of resources on the e-infrastructure project being executed through the African Pharmacological Science Gateway with the potential of assisting in building research capacity and developing networking opportunities for African countries which should benefit patient care in the future.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

Study Conception: OOO, LLG, JE, JOF, BG; Protocol and Research Tools Development: OOO, LLG, BG, JE, JOF, OO, IT, AM, SJET; Data Analysis: OOO, LLG, JE; Manuscript Writing: OOO, LLG, BG, JE, JOF, IT, AM, SJET.

Availability of data and material

All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Additional information

Funding

European Union Horizon 2020 Sci-GaIA (Energising scientific endeavor through Science Gateways and e-infrastructures in Africa) project. Grant agreement n°654237.