Table 2 The strengths and challenges for each Social Entrepreneurship Approach (SEA) Element and the corresponding milestones achieved

Element #1

• Able to ensure research addresses a priority topic

• Partnership building at initial stages of research

• Time to initiate project

• Ensuring that all voices are given equal weight

• Ethical approvals achieved

• Research collaboratively implemented

Element #2

• Approach the health issue from multiple perspectives

• Mitigates inherent power differences between partners

• Organization of a large international team

• Time commitment to create and sustain equitable partnerships

• Strong partnership with BUCHS and local hospital

• Multi-disciplinary training delivered to local and international partners

Element #3

• Flexibility allows the project to remain relevant

• Initial feasibility assessment enhances likelihood of success

• Adaptations increase time to complete research

• Ensure that the adaptation does not introduce bias

• Increased communication between physicians and laboratory

• Recruitment of experienced laboratory technician

Element #4

• Emphasis on societal impact allows for alternate funding sources

• Local ownership leads to stakeholder motivation and retention

• Funding streams are discipline and disease specific

• Under-resourced and over-committed local institutions

• In-kind donations of materials and local and international staff time

• Capacity built to support local ownership of research

Element #5

• High level of knowledge translation

• Promotion of long term sustainability

• Difficulty mobilizing resources at the national level

• Local constraints of time and money

• Trained all interested local staff in multi-disciplinary topics

• Strengthening of south-south partnerships