Assessment of the research capacity of the centers for health development, Philippine Department of Health

Abstract

Background. In 2012, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) established the Health Systems Research Management (HSRM). One of the HSRM components is increasing the research capacity of the Centers for Health Development (CHD) which is the regional ofce of the DOH. Objectve. To determine the research capacity of CHDs and to describe research input, research process, and research output. Methods. A descriptve cross-sectonal study design was employed. The data were collected using self-administered questonnaire with the Regional Director as the CHD respondent. The research capacity level was determined using ratng scale measurement. Based on the ratngs, each CHD was assigned a score with the corresponding capacity level: excellent (85-100%); good (70-84%); fair (51-69%); poor (<50%). Results. Fourteen (82%) of the 17 CHDs partcipated in the study. The insttutonal capacity level of the CHDs was poor in the areas of research management (43.0%) and in structure/organizaton/monitoring/evaluaton (30.0%), while it was fair in the area of resource mobilizaton (54.5%). Research input, research process, and research output were found to be lacking. Conclusion. The capacity level of the CHDs in the various aspects of insttutonal research ranged from poor to fair. Specifc areas under research input, research process, and research output that need improvement were identfed which can be used as benchmark for capacity-building actvites and as informaton-base against which the effectveness of these actvites in the CHDs can be evaluated.