Head of Centre's message

The true evidence derived from research needed to inform decisions, policies, practice and choices, is usually dispersed in a vast literature. Therefore, relying on the findings of a single study to inform decisions and policy may mislead, particularly when the individual studies answering the same question reach different, sometimes, conflicting conclusions. Evidence-based Medicine requires research evidence that has been distilled through evidence synthesis (systematic review). The research community is also becoming more sensitive towards wastage and trying to avoid redundant research because it wastes the limited funds available to support relevant research. Wastage is of particular concern in Africa where funds for research is limited.

The past 3 decades has seen a paradigm shift in scientific research and Evidence Synthesis (Systematic Review) has emerged as the approach for producing best and reliable (‘gold standard’) evidence upon which sound decisions and policies can be based. The growing application in all forms of decision-making underscores the need for scientists involved in designing and carrying out research as well as decision makers implementing or evaluating strategies, to have sound knowledge in evidence synthesis. In developed countries, systematically generated evidence is used to inform all major decisions and policies, even when planning new research. However, despite its growing demand, the capacity to generate quality evidence is either absent or limited in countries across Africa. At best, decision-makers in these countries are forced to rely on evidence generated elsewhere in developed countries that does not necessarily fit their setting, situation or context.