The Synthesis and Translation of Research and Innovations from Polio Eradication (STRIPE) is a multi-phase project which aims to map, package and disseminate knowledge from polio eradication initiatives as academic and training programs. The knowledge mapping phase (January 2018 – December 2019) encompassed four research activities (scoping review, survey, key informant interviews (KIIs), health system analyses). 

Data from the Literature Review and Survey are openly available on OSF and can be accessed here.

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Overall approach

The knowledge mapping activities utilized a sequential explanatory mixed methods design.

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Literature review

Through a multi-pronged scoping review we explored the evolution and learning from the Smallpox Eradication Program (SEP) and Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and implementation over time to inform other global health programs.

Documents were searched on via online database searches in addition to grey literature searches at the global and national levels (within our consortium partner countries). We conducted full text data analysis and captured data on implementation strategies and principles, tools, outcomes, target audiences, and relevance to global health knowledge areas.

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Quantitative Survey

A tacit knowledge survey was conducted at the global level, and at national and sub-national levels in all focus countries between August 2018 and December 2019, with the global survey remaining open through April 2019. The survey collected information on contextual factors that were key barriers and facilitators of the polio eradication activities, and the level where barriers originated from (global, national, sub-national).

The survey tool was developed based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), the Organizational Social Context framework, and the socioecological model. It covered key constructs describing the internal and external contexts for implementation, implementation strategies, intended and unintended consequences, and other descriptors including polio eradication activities, type of organizations, and demographic information related to the respondents’ role in polio eradication activities at different socioecological levels.

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Key-informant interviews

Key informant interviews were administered to a nested sample of survey respondents to further explore implementation challenges of polio eradication activities, strategies for addressing these challenges, and their intended and unintended outcomes across the levels of the socioecological framework.

The KII interview guide prioritized questions on polio program organization and change over time, contextual challenges (internal and external), strategies utilized to address challenges faced, and key lessons learned. The KIIs were conducted by two interviewers with expertise in qualitative research at the global level, and 3–4 interviewers within each focus country.