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‘A novel approach to expedite evidence to impact in Pre-eclampsia: co-developed Policy Labs in Zambia and Sierra Leone.’
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  • Katy Kuhrt,
  • Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya,
  • Harriet Boulding,
  • Alice Beardmore-Gray,
  • Alexandra Ridout,
  • Osman Koroma,
  • Betty Sam,
  • Prince Tommy Williams,
  • Francis Smart,
  • Isabel Meleki,
  • Meek Mwila,
  • Mubanga Chileshe,
  • Racheal Mawere,
  • Alice Hurrell,
  • Christabel Mbiiza,
  • Bellington Vwalika,
  • Cristina Fernandez Turienzo,
  • Jane Sandall,
  • Andrew Shennan,
  • Kate Bramham
Katy Kuhrt
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Chileshe Mabula-Bwalya
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Harriet Boulding
King's College London The Policy Institute
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Alice Beardmore-Gray
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Alexandra Ridout
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Osman Koroma
Welbodi Partnership
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Betty Sam
Welbodi Partnership
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Prince Tommy Williams
Lifeline Nehemiah Projects
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Francis Smart
Ministry of Health and Sanitation
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Isabel Meleki
Zambia Ministry of Health
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Meek Mwila
Maternal and Neonatal Health
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Mubanga Chileshe
Maternal and Neonatal Health
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Racheal Mawere
Maternal and Neonatal Health
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Alice Hurrell
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Christabel Mbiiza
University of Zambia University Teaching Hospital
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Bellington Vwalika
Maternal and Neonatal Health
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Cristina Fernandez Turienzo
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Jane Sandall
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Andrew Shennan
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Kate Bramham
King's College London Department of Women & Children's Health
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this article is to describe co-development and delivery of Policy Labs in Sierra Leone and Zambia for expedition of emerging evidence into clinical management of Pre-eclampsia. Design Co-development and delivery of Policy Labs. Setting Policy Labs were undertaken in Freetown, Sierra Leone and Lusaka, Zambia. Population Participants were purposively selected in each setting to represent a diverse range of relevant stakeholders. Methods Working with King’s Policy Institute, we co-developed and delivered two Policy Labs based on their 8-step process and the ‘trust-translation-timing’ model. Main outcome measures Policy Lab attendance; Policy Lab delivery; Policy Lab report and agreed outputs. Results Two Policy Labs were held: in Zambia (14 th February 2023) and Sierra Leone (7 th March 2023), attended by 35 and 39 diverse stakeholders respectively, included women via pre-recorded video clips. Both labs were successfully facilitated by local, well-respected female team members, and addressed co-developed questions (‘What are enablers and barriers to offering planned early delivery between 34 and 37 weeks?’ – Zambia; ‘How can we improve timely detection and appropriate action in women with Pre-eclampsia?’ – Sierra Leone) in answer to context-specific emerging evidence. Participants at both labs identified lack of Pre-eclampsia awareness as a key barrier, and recommended development of locally designed, community based strategies to increase access to timely, evidence-based Pre-eclampsia management. Conclusions Policy Labs are a novel approach to facilitate transfer of new knowledge into policy and action. Future Policy Labs should feature the women, participating in real time, at the forefront of the discussion.