Perceptions of Global Health Engagements in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Health Care Workers and Administrators in Western Kenya: Protocol for a Multistage Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: There has been significant interest in global health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) among individuals living in high-income countries (HICs) over the past 30 years. Much of the literature on global health engagements (GHEs) has been presented from the perspective of individuals from high-income countries. Local stakeholders such as health care workers and health care administrators represent critical constituencies for global health activities, yet their perspectives are underrepresented in the literature. The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of local health care workers and administrators with GHEs in Kenya. We will explore the perceived role GHEs play in preparing the health system to address a public health crisis, as well as their role in pandemic recovery and its aftermath. Objective: The aims of this study are to (1) examine how Kenyan health care workers and administrators interpret experiences with GHEs as having advantaged or hindered them and the local health system to provide care during an acute public health crisis and (2) to explore recommendations to reimagine GHEs in a postpandemic Kenya. Methods: This study will be conducted at a large teaching and referral hospital in western Kenya with a long history of hosting GHEs in support of its tripartite mission of providing care, training, and research. This qualitative study will be conducted in 3 phases. In phase 1, in-depth interviews will be conducted to capture participants' lived experience in relation to their unique understandings of the pandemic, GHEs, and the local health system. In phase 2, group discussions using nominal group techniques will be conducted to determine potential priority areas to reimagine future GHEs. In phase 3, in-depth interviews will be conducted to explore these priority areas in greater detail to explore recommendations for potential strategies, policies, and other actions that might be used to achieve the priorities determined to be of highest importance. Results: The study activities commenced in late summer 2022, with findings to be published in 2023. It is anticipated that the findings from this study will provide insight into the role GHEs play in a local health system in Kenya and provide critical stakeholder and partner input from persons hitherto ignored in the design, implementation, and management of GHEs. Conclusions: This qualitative study will examine the perspectives of GHEs in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic among Kenyan health care workers and health care administrators in western Kenya using a multistage protocol. Using a combination of in-depth interviews and nominal group techniques, this study aims to shed light on the roles global health activities are perceived to play in preparing health care professionals and the health system to address an acute public health crisis.