LAUSR

On behalf of the Editorial Board of JIDC. The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries (JIDC) promotes operational research from lowand middle-income countries where burden of infectious diseases is high and where research is much needed. Evidence from operational research is vital to attain high-quality healthcare services and achieve universal health coverage [1]. In these contexts research capacity needs to be built rapidly, but models that combine training and implement research at the same time are rare [2]. The SORT IT (Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative) aims to support countries conduct operational research according to their own priorities, build sustainable operational research capacity and enhance evidence-informed decision making to improve public health. Focused on implementers and front-line workers, SORT IT helps to make countries “data rich, information-rich and action-rich” [3]. This issue of JIDC is focused on SORT IT operational research projects from Armenia. It brings together a collection of operational research projects conducted by young researchers from various programmes and that have the potential to contribute to policy and practice. The JIDC has a genuine commitment to promote operational research in low and middle-income countries. We are encouraged by the enthusiastic response from researchers from these countries and would like to thank all of those who submitted manuscripts and acted as reviewers and associate editors. We are hoping to have a special issue of JIDC for Ukraine as well as Central Asia and Eastern Europe countries and encourage other regions to also contribute to the JIDC.