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Implementation Science at UW

Keywords: ERIC

✪ Strengthening primary care facility management: a systematic review of management interventions, implementation strategies, and outcomes in six sub-Saharan African countries

Authors:

Ermyas Birru, Sandra Urusaro, Aneth Dinis, Stélio Tembe, Teresa Jewell, Steve Gloyd, Kenneth Sherr, & Lisa R. Hirschhorn

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: July 2026

Read the full text in the open access journal BMC Primary Care

Abstract:

Background

Although primary health care (PHC) is central to health system performance, effective facility-level management is a critical determinant of service quality, resource use, and improved health outcomes. We conducted a systematic review to synthesize evidence on interventions, implementation strategies, and outcomes aimed at strengthening PHC facility management in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods

We conducted a systematic review using thematic synthesis. Eight electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies and grey literature published between 2012 and 2022, focusing on interventions targeting PHC facility management in SSA. Implementation strategies were mapped to the thematic cluster areas of the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) framework. Implementation outcomes were classified using Proctor’s Implementation Outcome Framework, and management effectiveness domains were identified through thematic analysis.

Results

Of 3,752 studies screened, nine met the inclusion criteria. These studies represented six SSA countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Four categories of intervention were identified: (1) training and capacity building programs, (2) peer-to-peer learning, (3) audit and feedback-based quality management systems, and (4) supportive supervision. These interventions were delivered through multiple implementation strategies, including training and education, coaching and mentoring, learning collaboratives, interactive continuous learning, and routine data monitoring. Acceptability was the most consistently reported implementation outcome. Improvements in management effectiveness were identified across four domains: financial management, organizational climate and culture, resource management and utilization, and human resource management. Five studies also reported intermediate service-level outcomes including improvements in maternal and child health indicators.

Conclusion

Interventions aimed at strengthening PHC facility management in SSA primarily emphasize skill development, collaboration, and ongoing managerial support, typically delivered through multiple strategies. However, few studies have evaluated these interventions using rigorous experimental or pragmatic study designs. More robust implementation research is needed to identify effective strategies for strengthening PHC facility management and supporting the consistent implementation of national PHC guidelines.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

✪ Identifying Community-Sourced Implementation Strategies for Delivering a Task-Shared Mental Health Intervention for Fathers in Kenya

Authors:

Ali Giusto, Florence Jaguga, Michaela Greenlee, Noah Triplett, Wilter Rono, Hani Rukh-E-Qamar, Mercy Korir, Dan Aburi, Milton Wainberg

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: March 2026

Read the full text in the open access journal Implementation Research and Practice

Abstract:

Background

To design accessible interventions, understanding how best to implement them in context is essential. Strategies that reflect community perspectives may be most relevant and impactful. This study aimed to identify and specify community-sourced implementation strategies for delivering a mental health and alcohol use intervention for fathers in Kenya and to map them to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) taxonomy.

Method

In Eldoret, Kenya, focus groups (seven groups; 31 participants) and key informant interviews (n = 18) were conducted with hospital leaders, policymakers, mental health providers, community leaders, fathers, lay providers, patients, and men currently experiencing mental health and alcohol use challenges. Data were analyzed using the framework method to generate high-level codes, followed by a second phase to extract, specify, and review implementation strategies.

Results

Community members identified lay providers recruited from the community as a promising delivery approach, with professional providers contributing to linkage to care and support for more acute needs. Engagement of community leaders and leveraging existing infrastructure were seen as key to enhancing implementation and reach, particularly among men. Multiple delivery settings (e.g., church, hospital, school) were considered acceptable depending on patient preference. A total of 25 unique community-sourced strategies were identified: three directly matched ERIC strategies, 19 were adapted, and two were unique to the community context.

Conclusions

This study identified locally grounded implementation strategies to guide early-stage intervention delivery for fathers in Kenya. Findings contribute to the growing body of implementation science in non-Western contexts and highlight a participatory approach for identifying and specifying strategies relevant to local systems and populations.

Plain Language Summary

This study explored how to deliver mental health and alcohol use treatment to Kenyan fathers based on community and father input. Key strategies included using local helpers, familiar spaces, and engaging leaders. Findings emphasize co-design and context-based delivery to make interventions more accessible, relevant, and ready for testing.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

✪ Strengthening the US Health Workforce to End the HIV Epidemic: Lessons Learned From 11 Ending the HIV Epidemic Jurisdictions

Authors:

Phillip L Marotta, Debbie Humphries, Daniel Escudero, David A Katz, Joseph G Rosen, Samantha Veronica Hill, Jennifer L Glick, Dennis H Li, Latosha Elopre, Fatemeh Ghadimi, Rinad S Beidas, Jose Bauermeister, Stephen Bonett, Drew B Cameron, LaRon E Nelson, Serena Rajabiun, Larry R Hearld, Mansoorah Kermani, Sarah Stoltman, Darjai Payne, Tobeya Ibitayo, Faiad Alam, Amanda Williams, Corilyn Ott, Emma Kay, Sarah Chrestman, Scott Batey, Laramie R Smith, Robin Gaines Lanzi, Karen Musgrove, Mayra Malagon, Jeannette Bailey-Webb, Florence Momplaisir, Robert Gross, Gregory Gross, Taylor Kaser, Tawnya Brown, Chelsey R Carter, Michael Mugavero , Tequetta Valeriano, Sarah Shaw, Anjuli D Wagner, Bakari Atiba, & Russell A Brewer

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: April 2025

Read the full text open access in the journal JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome