Health research institutional mapping: an Eastern Mediterranean Regional perspective

Research-conducive environments are mandatory for planning, implementing and translating research findings into evidence-informed health policies.

This study aimed at comprehensive situation analysis of health research institutions in the Region.

We collected data on: institutional characteristics, research scope, capacity building, ethics, governance and resources.

We contacted 575 institutions, of which, 223 (38.8%) responded, indicating that they conducted population research (82%). Reported studies were mostly in medicine, public health and epidemiology, while reported capacity building mainly focused on scientific writing (20.6%), research proposal writing (18%) and quantitative research methods (17%). Most institutions reported having collaborating partners (82%) - predominantly national (77%). Sixty-four percent of institutions received their own funding, with 48% reporting always having access to national databases.

Governments in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and international funding agencies are called upon to support health research production through increasing allocated support and capacity building in health research.