| dc.description.abstract | While there have been increased calls for strengthening community health systems (CHSs), key priorities for this field
have not been fully articulated. This paper seeks to fill this gap, presenting a collaboratively defined research agenda,
accompanied by a ‘manifesto’ on strengthening research and practice in the CHS. The CHS research agenda domains were
developed through a modified concept mapping process with a team of 33 experts on the CHS including policy-makers,
implementers and researchers from institutions in six countries: Uganda, Guatemala, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania
and Zambia. The process began remotely with brainstorming research priorities and concluded in a one-week workshop
that was held in Zambia where priorities for strengthening CHS were discussed, grouped into domains, interpreted, and
drafted into a collective declaration. Eight domains of research priorities for CHSs were identified: clarifying the purpose
and values of the CHS, ensure inclusivity; design, implementation and monitoring of strategies to strengthen the CHS;
social, political and historical contexts of CHS; community health workers (CHWs); social accountability; the interface
between the CHS and the broader health system; governance and stewardship; and finally, the ethical methodologies for
researching the CHS. By harnessing a set of diverse and rich experiences and perspectives on CHS through a structured
process, a multifaceted research agenda and manifesto that transcend context, disciplines and time were developed. We
posit this as an entry into greater debate and diversity in the field as we continue to find ways to strengthen research and
practice in the CHS. | en_US |
