Health challenges and health systems set-ups differ, warranting contextualised healthcare interventions to move towards universal health coverage. As such, there is emphasis on generation of contextualized evidence to solve local challenges. However, weak research capacity and inadequate resources remain an impendiment to quality research in the African region. WHO African Region (WHO AFR) facilitated the adoption of a regional strategy for strengthening national health research systems (NHRS) in 2015. We assessed the progress in strengthening NHRS among the 47 member states of the WHO AFR. We employed a cross sectional survey design using a semi structured questionnaire. All the 47member states of WHO AFR were surveyed. We assessed performance against indicators of the regional research strategy, explored facilitating factors and barriers to strengthening NHRS. Using the research barometer, which is a metric developed for the WHO AFR we assessed the strength of NHRS of member states. Data were analysed in Excel Software to calculate barometer scores for NHRS function and sub-function. Thematic content was employed in analysing the qualitative data. Data for 2014 were compared to 2018 to assess progress. WHO AFR member states have made significant progress in strengthening their NHRS. Some of the indicators have either attained or exceeded the 2025 targets. The average regional barometer score improved from 43% in 2014 to 61% in 2018. Significant improvements were registered in the governance of research for health (R4H); developing and sustaining research resources and producing and using research. Financing R4H improved only modestly. Among the constraints are the lengthy ethical clearance processes, weak research coordination mechanisms, weak enforcement of research laws and regulation, inadequate research infrastructure, limited resource mobilisation skills and donor dependence. There has been significant improvement in the NHRS of member states of the WHO AFRO since the last assessment in 2014. Improvement across the different objectives of the regional research strategy is however varied which compromises overall performance. The survey highlighted the areas with slow improvement that require a concerted effort. Furthermore, the study provides an opportunity for countries to share best practice in areas of excellence.

中文翻译：

---

加强世卫组织非洲区域的国家卫生研究系统——实现全民健康覆盖的进展

健康挑战和卫生系统设置各不相同，需要根据具体情况进行医疗干预，以实现全民健康覆盖。因此，强调生成情境化证据以解决当地挑战。然而，研究能力薄弱和资源不足仍然是非洲地区高质量研究的障碍。2015 年，世卫组织非洲区域 (WHO AFR) 推动通过了一项加强国家卫生研究系统 (NHRS) 的区域战略。我们评估了世卫组织非洲区域 47 个成员国在加强国家卫生研究系统方面取得的进展。我们采用了使用半结构化问卷的横断面调查设计。对 WHO AFR 的所有 47 个成员国进行了调查。我们根据区域研究战略的指标评估绩效，探讨了加强 NHRS 的促进因素和障碍。使用研究晴雨表，这是为 WHO AFR 开发的指标，我们评估了成员国 NHRS 的实力。在 Excel 软件中分析数据以计算 NHRS 功能和子功能的晴雨表分数。主题内容用于分析定性数据。将 2014 年的数据与 2018 年的数据进行了比较，以评估进展情况。WHO AFR 成员国在加强其 NHRS 方面取得了重大进展。部分指标已达到或超过 2025 年目标。地区晴雨表的平均得分从 2014 年的 43% 提高到 2018 年的 61%。开发和维持研究资源以及生产和使用研究。R4H 的融资仅略有改善。制约因素包括冗长的伦理审查程序、薄弱的研究协调机制、研究法律和法规的执行不力、研究基础设施不足、资源调动技能有限以及对捐助者的依赖。自 2014 年上次评估以来，WHO AFRO 成员国的 NHRS 有了显着改善。然而，区域研究战略不同目标的改善各不相同，这会损害整体绩效。该调查强调了需要共同努力的缓慢改进领域。此外，该研究为各国分享卓越领域的最佳实践提供了机会。研究基础设施不足、资源调动技能有限以及对捐助者的依赖。自 2014 年上次评估以来，WHO AFRO 成员国的 NHRS 有了显着改善。然而，区域研究战略不同目标的改善各不相同，这会影响整体绩效。该调查强调了需要共同努力的缓慢改进领域。此外，该研究为各国分享卓越领域的最佳实践提供了机会。研究基础设施不足、资源调动技能有限以及对捐助者的依赖。自 2014 年上次评估以来，WHO AFRO 成员国的 NHRS 有了显着改善。然而，区域研究战略不同目标的改善各不相同，这会损害整体绩效。该调查强调了需要共同努力的缓慢改进领域。此外，该研究为各国分享卓越领域的最佳实践提供了机会。然而，区域研究战略的不同目标的改进各不相同，这会损害整体绩效。该调查强调了需要共同努力的缓慢改进领域。此外，该研究为各国分享卓越领域的最佳实践提供了机会。然而，区域研究战略的不同目标的改进各不相同，这会损害整体绩效。该调查强调了需要共同努力的缓慢改进领域。此外，该研究为各国分享卓越领域的最佳实践提供了机会。