We present an approach to identify RHD stakeholders systematically.
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All identified RHD stakeholders were categorised into one or more of the five identified categories.
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“Research, training, and capacity building” and “Healthcare service delivery” category had the most RHD stakeholders.
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Local RHD Stakeholders were found in six locations in Uganda and seven local locations in Tanzania.
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RHD stakeholders from other countries in Uganda were located in 15 countries and 18 countries for Tanzania.
Abstract
Background
Our study aimed to systematically identify RHD stakeholders and categories of stakeholders to consider when developing a scorecard that reflects a broad stakeholder input.
Method
We used the Schiller et al.(2013) framework to identify RHD stakeholders and stakeholder categories in Tanzania and Uganda. The process involved identifying stakeholders by searching literature related to incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, health services, or health outcomes of Group A streptococcus, acute rheumatic fever, or rheumatic heart disease in these countries. The strategy was completed for two electronic databases in 2016 and in 2020 to update the results. We also engaged known stakeholders to obtain practice-based insight. We then categorised and visually represented the identified stakeholders.
Results
We identified 139 stakeholders in Uganda, with 68% being from 15 different countries across 31 locations. In comparison, local Ugandan stakeholders were dispersed in six locations across the country. In Tanzania, we identified 128 stakeholders, with 66% being locally based and dispersed in seven locations across the country and stakeholders from different countries were situated in 18 countries across 28 locations. We categorised all identified stakeholders into one or more of five categories 1) Civil Society and General Public, 2) Education Sector, 3) Research, Training and Capacity Building, 4) Healthcare service delivery, and 5) Health Policy and Administration.
Conclusion
The stakeholder categories identified include multiple sectors and stakeholders from multiple countries, this reflects the complexities of RHD. This also highlights the need for collaboration and partnership as a critical action for preventing and controlling RHD.