Capacity Building for Epidemiologic Research: A Case Study in the Newly Independent State of Azerbaijan
Received 25 November 2003; accepted 14 June 2004. published online 25 October 2004.
Purpose
Because many emerging economies lack local capacity for scientific research, capacity building has become a priority for many international development organizations. This article describes and critiques an approach used for building local capacity for applied health research in Azerbaijan, one of the newly independent states (NIS) of the former USSR.
Methods
In 2000, environmental epidemiology training courses were conducted in Azerbaijan. Several local participants of these courses received hands-on training in the planning and conduct of a subsequent cancer study as a practical extension of the training exercises.
Results
The research demonstrated that international collaboration can not only result in the successful completion of health research in NIS such as Azerbaijan, but also impart research knowledge and experience to local experts. Several practical issues were encountered in the conduct of the training activities that limited their effectiveness. The most desired result (the proposal and conduct of new research by local experts trained through these exercises) has yet to be achieved to the levels expected.
Conclusions
International collaborations such as the approach described here are useful for imparting expertise to researchers in less affluent countries. However, comprehensive capacity building programs providing ongoing professional development, support, and an enabling environment, rather than scientific training alone, are required to achieve long-term sustainability and measurable outcomes.
From the Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (J.E.A, C.L.S.); and WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Rome, Italy (F.R., R.B.)
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr. Colin L. Soskolne, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, 13-103 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada. Tel.: (780) 492-6013; Fax: (780) 492-0364.
Funding for this study was provided in large part by WHO and UNDP. However, the travel of James Andruchow to and from Azerbaijan was provided by the Edmonton Consular Corps Consular Ball Scholarship. His personal support came from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, as well as from the Programme for Research on the Environmental Etiology of Cancer (PREECAN).
ABSTRACT