Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review
Abstract Background Social accountability is a participatory process in which citizens are engaged to hold politicians, policy makers and public officials accountable for the services that they provide. In the Fifteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, African leaders recognize...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-5407-8 |
| _version_ | 1811325113366216704 |
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| author | Georges Danhoundo Khalidha Nasiri Mary E. Wiktorowicz |
| author_facet | Georges Danhoundo Khalidha Nasiri Mary E. Wiktorowicz |
| author_sort | Georges Danhoundo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Social accountability is a participatory process in which citizens are engaged to hold politicians, policy makers and public officials accountable for the services that they provide. In the Fifteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, African leaders recognized the need for strong, decentralized health programs with linkages to civil society and private sector entities, full community participation in program design and implementation, and adaptive approaches to local political, socio-cultural and administrative environments. Despite the increasing use of social accountability, there is limited evidence on how it has been used in the health sector. The objective of this systematic review was to identify the conditions that facilitate effective social accountability in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Social Sciences Abstracts) were searched for relevant articles published between 2000 and August 2017. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were peer-reviewed English language publications describing a social accountability intervention in sub-Saharan Africa. Qualitative and quantitative study designs were eligible. Results Fourteen relevant studies were included in the review. The findings indicate that effective social accountability interventions involve leveraging partnerships and building coalitions; being context-appropriate; integrating data and information collection and analysis; clearly defined roles, standards, and responsibilities of leaders; and meaningful citizen engagement. Health system barriers, corruption, fear of reprisal, and limited funding appear to be major challenges to effective social accountability interventions. Conclusion Although global accountability standards play an important guiding role, the successful implementation of global health initiatives depend on national contexts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T14:27:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7c9b3dcee92748859ee14f13be6b1936 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T14:27:21Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-7c9b3dcee92748859ee14f13be6b19362022-12-22T02:43:16ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582018-04-011811810.1186/s12889-018-5407-8Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic reviewGeorges Danhoundo0Khalidha Nasiri1Mary E. Wiktorowicz2Faculty of Health (York University)Faculty of Health (York University)Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, Community and Global Health, Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health, York UniversityAbstract Background Social accountability is a participatory process in which citizens are engaged to hold politicians, policy makers and public officials accountable for the services that they provide. In the Fifteenth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, African leaders recognized the need for strong, decentralized health programs with linkages to civil society and private sector entities, full community participation in program design and implementation, and adaptive approaches to local political, socio-cultural and administrative environments. Despite the increasing use of social accountability, there is limited evidence on how it has been used in the health sector. The objective of this systematic review was to identify the conditions that facilitate effective social accountability in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Social Sciences Abstracts) were searched for relevant articles published between 2000 and August 2017. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were peer-reviewed English language publications describing a social accountability intervention in sub-Saharan Africa. Qualitative and quantitative study designs were eligible. Results Fourteen relevant studies were included in the review. The findings indicate that effective social accountability interventions involve leveraging partnerships and building coalitions; being context-appropriate; integrating data and information collection and analysis; clearly defined roles, standards, and responsibilities of leaders; and meaningful citizen engagement. Health system barriers, corruption, fear of reprisal, and limited funding appear to be major challenges to effective social accountability interventions. Conclusion Although global accountability standards play an important guiding role, the successful implementation of global health initiatives depend on national contexts.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-5407-8Social accountabilityEnabling factorsLimiting factorsCommunityCitizen engagementSub-Saharan Africa |
| spellingShingle | Georges Danhoundo Khalidha Nasiri Mary E. Wiktorowicz Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review BMC Public Health Social accountability Enabling factors Limiting factors Community Citizen engagement Sub-Saharan Africa |
| title | Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_full | Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_short | Improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review |
| title_sort | improving social accountability processes in the health sector in sub saharan africa a systematic review |
| topic | Social accountability Enabling factors Limiting factors Community Citizen engagement Sub-Saharan Africa |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-018-5407-8 |
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