Seeking Research Questions from Implementers: Considerations for Leveraging Ground Actors Research Needs in the Fight against Malaria in West Africa.

Abstract Malaria, a parasitic infection, still a major public health threat and hence a heavy economic burden that hampers the development of countries especially in West Africa. Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) altogether are now the third leading cause of death in ECOWAS region with 77% of deaths in children under 5 years due to malaria. Countries and partners set ambitious goals for reducing the burden and eliminating malaria by 2030. To achieve these goals, West African countries program managers and researchers are engaged in a series of activities to address practical bottlenecks. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a collaboration between malaria program implementation and research needs in West African countries, related to malaria. It describes the crucial role and process managers and researchers can play in these countries, in assuring the identification of research related program implementation issues as well as solutions to those barriers in order to alleviate the burden. Identifying research questions pertaining to each program through an implementation science approach, integrating health delivery and innovative approach to bottlenecks, and decision support to promote joint optimization of activities for malaria elimination. Managers and researcher discussed together programs difficulties being encountered and highlighted key research questions to be addressed.