The Impact of upport of Occupational Health Research on National Development in Developing Countries

This paper assesses the developmental impact of donor-supported occupational health and safety research in developing countries through examining over 40 projects supported by one donor. Based on an analysis of 42 questionnaires completed by principal investigators of 38 international projects in developing countries and an on-site study of five completed projects in Latin America, the results show that donor-supported occupational health and safety research projects have had a significant impact on strengthening the research capacities of recipient scientists and research institutions as well as facilitated changes in the policy environment and the health and safety practices of occupational groups in developing countries. The analysis also suggests that the type of recipient institution has some bearing on the impact of research. Furthermore, effective and broad dissemination of research results and the involvement of stakeholders in the research contributed to the developmental impact.