Table 5 Influence of context on evidence use

Global considerations/movement

WHO partnership for maternal, newborn and child health movement provided support for partner countries to develop an IMNCH strategy

There was an international push towards development of oral health policies in Africa

Inability to meet the international standard for health worker to population ratio

International move to resolve HRH crisis especially in Africa

Existing policy/guideline/frame work

Prior existence of the reproductive health policy and child health policy

Fragmented drafts of previously written policies which had not been adopted

Existence of health sector reform plan which emphasized the need for equitable distribution and health worker retention

Existence of implementation strategy for the child health policy

This was the first OH policy adopted in Nov 2012

National considerations

Ongoing National health sector reform plan which showed areas of need

Presence of policy champion

Policy champion and ongoing health sector reform plan