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Hussein AK, Kishimba RS, Simba AA, Urio LJ, Lema NA, Mmbaga VM, Mutayoba BK, Malugu NE, Leonard D, Hokororo J, Kelly ME, Paschal A, Ngenzi D, Hellar JA, Kauki GC, Saguti GE, Yoti Z, Mukurasi KI, Mponela M, Mgomella GS, Gatei W, Kaniki I, Swaminathan M, Kwesi EM, Nagu TJ. Tanzania's first Marburg Viral Disease outbreak response: Describing the roles of FELTP graduates and residents. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0003189. [PMID: 38809954 PMCID: PMC11135762 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Outbreak presents a significant public health threat, requiring a timely, robust, and well-coordinated response. This paper aims to describe the roles of the Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (TFELTP) graduates and residents in responding to Tanzania's first Marburg Viral Disease (MVD) outbreak. We performed a secondary data analysis using a range of documents, such as rosters of deployed responders and the TFELTP graduate and resident database, to count and describe them. Additionally, we conducted an exploratory textual analysis of field deployment reports and outbreak situational reports to delineate the roles played by the residents and graduates within each response pillar. A total of 70 TFELTP graduates and residents from different regions were involved in supporting the response efforts. TFELTP graduates and residents actively participated in several interventions, including contact tracing and follow up, sensitising clinicians on surveillance tools such as standard case definitions, alert management, supporting the National and Kagera Regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centres, active case search, risk communication, and community engagement, coordination of logistics, passenger screening at points of entry, and conducting Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) assessments and orientations in 144 Health Facilities. The successes achieved and lessons learned from the MVD response lay a foundation for sustained investment in skilled workforce development. FELTP Training is a key strategy for enhancing global health security and strengthening outbreak response capabilities in Tanzania and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ally Kassim Hussein
- Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Rogath Saika Kishimba
- Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Azma Ayoub Simba
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Loveness John Urio
- Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Nsiande Andrew Lema
- Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Vida Makundi Mmbaga
- Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | - Nelson Edwin Malugu
- Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Centre of Excellence in Health Monitoring & Evaluation, Mzumbe University, Morogoro, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Devotha Leonard
- Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Centre of Excellence in Health Monitoring & Evaluation, Mzumbe University, Morogoro, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | - Maria Ezekiely Kelly
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- National Public Health Laboratory, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Albert Paschal
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Presidents Office, Regional Authority and Local Government, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Danstan Ngenzi
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - James Andrew Hellar
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - George Cosmas Kauki
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- World Health Organization, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | - Zabulon Yoti
- World Health Organization, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Kokuhabwa Irene Mukurasi
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Marcelina Mponela
- Tanzania Field and Laboratory Epidemiologists Association, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
- U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - George S. Mgomella
- U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Wangeci Gatei
- U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Issesanda Kaniki
- Presidents Office, Regional Authority and Local Government, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Mahesh Swaminathan
- U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
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Huang H, Yao GH, Huang J, Deng B, Wu J, Yu C. Cross-sectional study on the epidemiological investigation ability of professional staff from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Guizhou Province. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1335553. [PMID: 38832224 PMCID: PMC11145900 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1335553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aims to evaluate the qualifications and identify skill enhancement areas for epidemiological investigators in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) in Guizhou's, informing future training and policy initiatives to strengthen public health responses. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in August 2022, and an online, self-designed questionnaire on the Epidemiological Dynamic Data Collection platform was administered to evaluate the professional staff in CDCs. The responses were scored and presented using descriptive statistical methods, and the factors influencing the total score were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and linear regression. Results and discussion A total of 1321 questionnaires were collected, yielding an average score of 14.86±3.49 and a qualification rate of 29.9%. The scoring rate of ability of individual protection and coordination in epidemic control was high (87.25%). Meanwhile, improvements in further training were needed in areas such as data analysis ability (23.67%), knowledge of site disinfection (40.40%), and epidemiological investigation skills (42.50%). No significant difference was observed between the scores of city and county CDCs, (t = 1.071, p =0.284). The effects of gender and age could be disregarded, and the experience in epidemiological work and training (including investigation on COVID-19 cases and contacts), educational background, and professional title partially explained the survey outcome (R Square of the linear regression model was 0.351). The survey indicated the need for additional well-trained epidemiologic investigators in Guizhou. Specified training was effective in improving epidemiologic investigation, and enhancement in data analysis ability and knowledge of field disinfection are recommended in professional staff cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Huang
- Institution of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Guizhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Guiyang, China
| | - Guang-hai Yao
- Institution of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Guizhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Guiyang, China
| | - Jiao Huang
- Institution of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Guizhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Guiyang, China
| | - Bin Deng
- Institution of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Guizhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Guiyang, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Office for Disease Control and Emergence Response (Information Center), Guizhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Guiyang, China
| | - Chun Yu
- Institution of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Guizhou Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Guiyang, China
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Cui A, Hamdani S, Woldetsadik MA, Clerville JW, Hu A, Abedi AA, Bratton S, Turcios-Ruiz RM. The Field Epidemiology Training Program's Contribution to Essential Public Health Functions in Seven National Public Health Institutes. Int J Public Health 2023; 68:1606191. [PMID: 37649690 PMCID: PMC10462778 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study explores how Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETP) whose National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) are supported by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have contributed to strengthening essential public health functions. Methods: We conducted 96 semi-structured interviews with public health experts including NPHI staff, non-NPHI government staff, and staff from non-governmental and international organizations in Cambodia, Colombia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia. We managed data using MAXQDA and employed direct content analysis to derive themes. Results: Three overarching themes emerged in relation to FETPs' role within the NPHIs' public health functions. These themes included contribution to improving country surveillance systems, role in providing leadership in outbreak responses, and strengthening countries' and the NPHIs' surveillance workforce capacity. Participants also shared challenges around FETPs' implementation and suggestions for improvement. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the value of FETPs in strengthening public health systems through building workforce capacity and improving surveillance systems. By identifying the successes of FETPs in contributing to essential public health functions, our findings might inform current and future FETP implementation and its integration into NPHIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Cui
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Sakina Hamdani
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mahlet A. Woldetsadik
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jacques W. Clerville
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Audrey Hu
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Public Health PHI/CDC Global Health Fellowship Program, Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Aisha A. Abedi
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Shelly Bratton
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Reina M. Turcios-Ruiz
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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