‘A novel approach to expedite evidence to impact in Pre-eclampsia:
co-developed Policy Labs in Zambia and Sierra Leone.’
Abstract
Objective The aim of this article is to describe co-development
and delivery of Policy Labs in Sierra Leone and Zambia for expedition of
emerging evidence into clinical management of Pre-eclampsia.
Design Co-development and delivery of Policy Labs. Setting
Policy Labs were undertaken in Freetown, Sierra Leone and Lusaka,
Zambia. Population Participants were purposively selected in each
setting to represent a diverse range of relevant stakeholders.
Methods Working with King’s Policy Institute, we co-developed and
delivered two Policy Labs based on their 8-step process and the
‘trust-translation-timing’ model. Main outcome measures Policy
Lab attendance; Policy Lab delivery; Policy Lab report and agreed
outputs. Results Two Policy Labs were held: in Zambia (14
th February 2023) and Sierra Leone (7
th March 2023), attended by 35 and 39 diverse
stakeholders respectively, included women via pre-recorded video clips.
Both labs were successfully facilitated by local, well-respected female
team members, and addressed co-developed questions (‘What are enablers
and barriers to offering planned early delivery between 34 and 37
weeks?’ – Zambia; ‘How can we improve timely detection and appropriate
action in women with Pre-eclampsia?’ – Sierra Leone) in answer to
context-specific emerging evidence. Participants at both labs identified
lack of Pre-eclampsia awareness as a key barrier, and recommended
development of locally designed, community based strategies to increase
access to timely, evidence-based Pre-eclampsia management.
Conclusions Policy Labs are a novel approach to facilitate
transfer of new knowledge into policy and action. Future Policy Labs
should feature the women, participating in real time, at the forefront
of the discussion.