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Importance of scientific resources among local public health practitioners
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Feb 17 2015
Source: Am J Public Health. 105(Suppl 2):S288-S294. -
Alternative Title:Am J Public Health
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Description:Objectives
This study examined the perceived importance of scientific resources for decision-making, among local health department (LHD) practitioners in the U.S.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used data from LHD practitioners (n=849). Respondents ranked important decision-making resources, methods for learning about public health research, and academic journal use. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression was used to measure associations of individual and LHD characteristics with importance of scientific resources.
Results
Systematic reviews of scientific literature (24.7%) was most frequently ranked as important among scientific resources, followed by scientific reports (15.9%), general literature review articles (6.5%), and one or a few scientific studies (4.8%). Graduate-level education (aORs ranging from 1.7 to 3.5), larger LHD size (aORs ranging from 2.0 to 3.5), and leadership support (aOR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 2.3) were associated with a higher ranking of importance of scientific resources.
Conclusions
Graduate training, larger LHD size, and leadership that supports a culture of evidence-based decision-making may increase the likelihood of practitioners viewing scientific resources as important. Targeting communication channels that practitioners view as important can also guide research dissemination strategies.
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Pubmed ID:25689176
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC4355705
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