Research capacity building: a US-South African partnership
Airhihenbuwa, C.O.; Shisana, O.; Zungu, N.; BeLue, R.; Makofani, D.M.; Shefer, T.; Smith, E.; Simbayi, L.
Global Health Promotion 18(2): 27-35
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1757-9767 PMID: 21596937 DOI: 10.1177/1757975911404745Document Number: 537896
Research capacity building engenders assets that allow communities (and, in this case, student fellows) to respond adequately to health issues and problems that are contextual, cultural and historical in nature. In this paper, we present a US-South African partnership that led to research training for 30 postgraduate students at two South African universities. We begin by exploring the nature of research capacity building in a partnership research project designed to promote HIV and AIDS-related stigma reduction. We examine methodological issues and their relevance to training of postgraduate students in South Africa. We conclude with recommendations for a successful model of partnership for building capacity of health researchers in Africa with the goal of developing research that informs policies and helps to bridge the health inequity gap globally.