Challenges to the use of research results by a former West African Economic and Monetary Union decision-maker

The problem of the use of research results by public health decision-makers is a topical issue in developing countries, in which considerable research is conducted, but is poorly used. The author was previously Director of Health, Social Protection and Mutual Insurance of the UEMOA Commission from 2006 to 2017. The central question raised in this article is: What are the challenges to the use of research results by directors of public health programmes in a sub-regional integration institution? The main findings and challenges raised in this text can be summarized as follows: • Programme and budget constraints surrounding the intervention planning process that prevent effective implementation of the health research results; • Implementation of programmes in member countries does not always comply with the guidelines adopted by the Union on the basis on good practice derived from research results; • The dissemination of research results is insufficient due to calendar and budget constraints and certain prejudices concerning the efficacy of large-scale scientific meetings.