The objective of this review was to identify the outcomes and impact of HRP’s efforts and to learn from these past efforts and contribute to the HRP’s future RCS programme by analyzing the 5 year period of research capacity strengthening at one institute in Paraguay. Data was collected through contacts with the institutions staff during site visit, analysis of reports from the institutes and personal communications with staffs from mentor and mentee institutions.
Outcome and potential impact following HRP support
Training and research: During the first 5 years of the LID grant (2009–2014), based on gaps identified by the institution, training support was provided on data analysis (quantitative/qualitative), multivariate analysis, scientific writing, dissemination of research results, and library management. The training programme included a hands-on component using data from CEPEP’s databases and current research. Another form of training was a result of the continuous advice from CENEP on developing the research protocol (budgeting the activities, ethical aspects in conducting research, bibliography search), data analysis and publication of research findings (learning by doing). A mentor- mentee relationship developed between the two institutions with staff visiting each other’s institution to work together on developing and implementing research protocols.
Following the training, technical support from HRP and continuous mentoring by CENEP, CEPEP conducted several research projects. In 2011 they conducted the study
“Women at risk: Detection of target groups of women at higher risk of infection by HIV, unplanned fertility, fetal loss and violence victimization in Paraguay” and published the results [
10‐
12]. Based on these findings, the institution designed another study on “
Intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion against women” that aimed to describe the individual and societal mechanisms and circumstances around violence against women in Paraguay. The results were presented in the Regional Seminar on Intimate Partner Violence held in Asuncion in 2015 with the support of WHO
http://www.cepep.org.py/Seminario2015/Ponencia.html). A manuscript is currently under review for publication. In 2015, the researchers began elaborating another research study–
Attitudes, opinions and experiences of partner violence from the perspective of men in Asuncion. HRP staff worked with CEPEP in developing the study protocol. The study was approved by HRP scientific committee and is currently under WHO Ethical review. It will be implemented in the last quarter of 2015.
Knowledge resource management: An important contribution of the HRP/LID grant was the reorganization and expansion of CEPEP’s library. In 2009, an expert librarian from CENEP conducted a capacity building workshop on “Electronic Resources Management”. Nineteen librarians from 14 different libraries in Paraguay attended the course, including the librarian from the School of Medicine of the National University of Asuncion, from the General National Direction of Statistics, and the Central library of the University of Asuncion. In the post-course evaluation, all participants remarked, “that it was the first time they had the opportunity to be trained in such advanced tools for library management”. Through the LID grant, library was able to purchase and enhance the collection of reference books and documents. Approximately 104 books in the discipline of social sciences, research methodology, SRH, psychology, and epidemiology were purchased and subscriptions to local journals were made. The training course for librarians, helped to create linkages within this small community of librarians in Paraguay and to share knowledge not otherwise easily accessible in the country. HRP support to the library not only enhanced knowledge generation for CEPEP’s researchers but it served as a resource tool for the general public of Paraguay as well as neighboring countries, thus creating a research milieu in the country.
Dissemination of research findings: One of the objectives of HRP/RCS programme is to support researchers from LMICs to disseminate their research findings. Before CEPEP became a LID grantee, CEPEP had published results of SRH surveys, policy briefs, summaries of research results in monograph form. Following the training on scientific writing and dissemination of research results, there began a shift towards publishing in national and international scientific peer reviewed–journals, developing policy briefs, participating and organizing congresses and seminars. Research results were published on intimate partner violence, mental health, fertility decline [
13], and trends of caesarean delivery [
14]. Evaluation of the National Reproductive Health Plan 2003–2008 [
15] and data on reproductive health of adolescents and young women [
16] were published. A series of policy briefs [
17] were produced to disseminate research findings to authorities such as Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affaires, other stakeholders such as international partners like UNFPA, UNDP, PAHO/WHO, academic sector, and NGO’s. A total of seven articles on research results were published in peer-reviewed journals (three of them had CEPEP’s researchers as lead authors, and in four as coauthors).
Advocacy and influencing policies: Dissemination of research findings was not only limited to publications. Following collaboration and support from CENEP and HRP, CEPEP staff started participating and organizing national and international seminars. In 2010, CEPEP presented the research findings for the first time outside Paraguay at the Fourth Latin American Congress of Population Studies, Havana, and then at the Twenty-First meeting of the Latin-American Association of Researchers in Human Reproduction in Panama in 2011. In 2012, and 2015 CEPEP took the lead and organized the regional seminars on
Violence among adolescents and youth [
11], and
Gender roles and intimate partner violence in Asunción, Paraguay (supported by HRP/WHO).
By organizing advocacy seminars, CEPEP contributed in creating a scientific environment in Paraguay, increased the visibility of the institute, and presented research findings to different stakeholders. This process, together with CEPEP’s previous work is increasingly contributing in creating a milieu where research results are accepted as important inputs for projects and programs, resulting in more research informed policies and practice. Staff from CEPEP now sits on national SRH research policy planning bodies, thereby influencing the development of reproductive health programmes and the National agenda in their countries. The three latest National Reproductive Health Plans have all been evaluated by and developed in consultation with CEPEP.
Networking and Visibility: CEPEP had very little international exposure and experience in conducting research before 2005. Following the LID grant and association with CENEP they became members of the Latin American Population Association–ALAP, the Latin America Association of Researchers in Human Reproduction–ALIRH and international organizations like the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP). HRP support helped in increasing the credibility, visibility, linkages and confidence of the researchers in CEPEP. The HRP Alliance formed in 2014 aims to link emerging research centres in the region and globally to further enhance regional networking and visibility of research centres.
Sustainability of the institution: Success of RCS programme could be assessed by the extent to which an institution can sustain itself after the grant is finished. The achievement of sustainability is evidenced in recent years by the number of projects and seminars receiving financial support from sources other than HRP. CEPEP is moving in the right direction. Recently they were awarded two grants to conduct research to estimate the magnitude of abortion in Paraguay for the first time and to further develop research on intimate partner violence in cities other than the capital. These will be implemented with the financial support of Paraguay’s first national program to develop scientific research called PROCIENCIA [
18], dependent on the National Council for Science and Technology. From sustainability perspective, such activities and initiatives are important to consolidate the leadership role and the visibility of the institution so that it continues to play a key role at national and even at regional level in generating and implementing evidence based knowledge and be part of the regional network in sexual and reproductive health.