Nuru Mohammed Hussen, Tigabu Hailu Kassa, Getnet Mamo Habtie
Multilevel analysis of early initiation of breastfeeding in Ethiopia
Frontiers in public health
global evidence local adaptation gela project aims maximise impact research povertyrelated diseases increasing researchers decisionmakers capacity use global research develop locally relevant guidelines newborn child health malawi nigeria south africa facilitate ongoing collaboration stakeholders adopted integrated knowledge translation ikt approach within gela given limited research ikt african settings documented teams ikt capacity skills process experiences developing implementing ikt countries six ikt champions coordinator formed gela ikt working group gathered data baseline ikt competencies processes within gela opportunities challenges lessons learned april 2022 march 2023 year 1 data collected five twohour working group meetings notes presentation slides video recordings 2 process documents flowcharts templates 3 openended questionnaire data analysed using thematic analysis approach three overarching themes identified 1 ikt approach applied within gela 2 capacity motivations ikt champions 3 experiences applying gela ikt approach three countries ikt champions country teams adopted iterative approach carry comprehensive mapping stakeholders determine stakeholders level interest influence gela using powerinterest matrix identify realistic indicators monitoring countryspecific strategies ikt champions displayed varying capacities strong motivation engaged skills development activities country teams leveraged existing relationships national ministries health drive responses participation stakeholders adopted variable communication modes eg email phone calls social media optimal engagement flexibility managing competing interests priorities ensured optimal participation stakeholders although time resources required ikt champions frequently underestimated intentional systematic contextualized ikt approach carried three african countries within gela provides important insights enhancing implementation feasibility effectiveness ikt initiatives africa similar low middleincome country lmic settings