Developing a framework for tobacco research and practice network in India: A Delphi Study
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Author(s)
Rajmohan Panda, ivya Persai and Andy Mc.Ewen
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| Presenter(s) |
Dr Rajmohan Panda Senior Public Health Specialist, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). |
Abstract Background
There are key gaps in the production and dissemination of evidence-based tobacco control research in India. This study aimed to identify priority areas for building tobacco research and practice network in India.
Methods
The Delphi survey was conducted in two rounds among experts working in tobacco control (First round-60; Second round-10) in India in 2013-14. Consensus on individual items of the questionnaire was considered “strong”, “moderate” and “lack of consensus”. Interquartile Range (IQR) was used to calculate the strength of the consensus.
Results
Experts expressed strong consensus on tobacco cessation and economic research as a priority area of focus for tobacco research network in India (IQR = 1). Lack of funding was stated as a barrier impeding formation of tobacco research network in India by majority of respondents. Information sharing and capacity building of young researchers were the two major benefits as stated by respondents which achieved strong consensus. Stronger partnerships, collaborations, and institutional linkages were another mode of building capacity of researchers mentioned by majority of experts (IQR-1).
Conclusion
The consensus priorities highlight the most important and urgent needs in developing research and practice network in tobacco control in India and other developing countries.
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Presenter biography Dr. Rajmohan Panda is a senior public health specialist working with Public Health Foundation of India. His expertise is in health system strengthening and has included evaluation as well as operational research in different projects in Tobacco Control and Non-Communicable Diseases.
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Source of funding: This work was supported by a Wellcome Trust Capacity Strengthening Strategic Award to the Public Health Foundation of India and a consortium of UK universities.
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Declaration of interest: None
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