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Usman AB, Lokossou VK, Sawadogo K, Ward S, Umeokonkwo CD, Sawadogo B, Hanlon C, Kayita G, Balogun MS, Antara S, Merrill R, Nguku PM, Issiaka S, JC Aïssi MA. Capacity building at points of entry during COVID-19 pandemic: harmonising training curriculum for Economic Community of West African States. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:bmjgh-2022-010892. [PMID: 36707092 PMCID: PMC9884881 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper describes the process for developing, validating and disseminating through a train-the-trainer (TOT) event a standardised curriculum for public health capacity building for points of entry (POE) staff across the 15-member state Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that reflects both international standards and national guidelines.A five-phase process was used in developing the curriculum: phase (1) assessment of existing materials developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Africa CDC and the West African Economic and Monetary Union, (2) design of retained and new, harmonised content, (3) validation by the national leadership to produce final content, (4) implementation of the harmonised curriculum during a regional TOT, and (5) evaluation of the curriculum.Of the nine modules assessed in English and French, the technical team agreed to retain six harmonised modules providing materials for 10 days of intensive training. Following the TOT, most participants (n=28/30, 93.3%) indicated that the International Health Regulations and emergency management modules were relevant to their work and 96.7% (n=29/30) reported that the training should be cascaded to POE staff in their countries.The ECOWAS harmonised POE curriculum provides a set of training materials and expectations for national port health and POE staff to use across the region. This initiative contributes to reducing the effort required by countries to identify emergency preparedness and response capacity-building tools for border health systems in the Member States in a highly connected region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishat Bukola Usman
- African Field Epidemiology Network Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Virgil Kuassi Lokossou
- ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria,West African Health Organisation, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Kiswendsida Sawadogo
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah Ward
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Chukwuma David Umeokonkwo
- Department of Community Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria,African Field Epidemiology Network, Moronvia, Liberia
| | | | | | | | | | - Simon Antara
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca Merrill
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Patrick M Nguku
- African Field Epidemiology Network Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Sombie Issiaka
- West African Health Organisation, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
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Umeozuru CM, Usman AB, Olorukooba AA, Abdullahi IN, John DJ, Lawal LA, Uwazie CC, Balogun MS. Performance of COVID-19 case-based surveillance system in FCT, Nigeria, March 2020 –January 2021. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264839. [PMID: 35421123 PMCID: PMC9009682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) which has spread exponentially worldwide. A robust surveillance system is essential for correct estimation of the disease burden and containment of the pandemic. We evaluated the performance of COVID-19 case-based surveillance system in FCT, Nigeria and assessed its key attributes. Methods We used a cross-sectional study design, comprising a survey, key informant interview, record review and secondary data analysis. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was administered to key stakeholders to assess the attributes and process of operation of the surveillance system using CDC’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluation of Public Health Surveillance System 2001. Data collected alongside surveillance data from March 2020 to January 2021 were analyzed and summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Out of 69,338 suspected cases, 12,595 tested positive with RT-PCR with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 18%. Healthcare workers were identified as high-risk group with a prevalence of 23.5%. About 82% respondents perceived the system to be simple, 85.5% posited that the system was flexible and easily accommodates changes, 71.4% reported that the system was acceptable and expressed willingness to continue participation. Representativeness of the system was 93%, stability 40%, data quality 56.2% and timeliness 45.5%, estimated result turnaround time (TAT) was suboptimal. Conclusion The system was found to be useful, simple, flexible, sensitive, acceptable, with good representativeness but the stability, data quality and timeliness was poor. The system meets initial surveillance objectives but rapid expansion of sample collection and testing sites, improvement of TAT, sustainable funding, improvement of electronic database, continuous provision of logistics, supplies and additional trainings are needed to address identified weaknesses, optimize the system performance and meet increasing need of case detection in the wake of rapidly spreading pandemic. More risk-group persons should be tested to improve surveillance effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chikodi Modesta Umeozuru
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria
- African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Abuja, Nigeria
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Idris Nasir Abdullahi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Doris Japhet John
- Department of Public Health, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Lukman Ademola Lawal
- Department of Public Health, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Charles Chukwudi Uwazie
- Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria
- African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Abuja, Nigeria
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Namuya NP, Usman AB, Emmanuel P, Manchan DB, C Dahiru AM, Raheem N, Usman AU, Hirayama K. Dyke-davidoff-masson syndrome: A case report of an adolescent boy at a tertiary hospital in Adamawa, North-Eastern Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract 2022; 25:1604-1607. [DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_1955_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Abubakar AU, Abubakar AA, Sufiyan MB, Balogun MS, Awosan KJ, Raji IA, Usman AB, Abdullahi AM, Njidda AM, Bala HA, Kaoje AU, Nguku PM, Shehu AU. Knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J 2021; 40:109. [PMID: 34887983 PMCID: PMC8627133 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.40.109.22000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction psychoactive substance use (PSU) is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Psychoactive substance use takes a considerable toll on financial status, academic achievement and health status of addicts. In Nigeria, PSU is on the increase, one of the most disturbing health-related problems and a leading cause of premature death among school aged population worldwide. We therefore, determined the knowledge of health effects and determinants of psychoactive substance use among secondary school students in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Methods we conducted a cross-sectional study among 430 secondary school students that were selected using multistage sampling in Sokoto, Northwestern, Nigeria from April to May 2019. We collected data using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. We calculated proportions and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in a binary logistic regression model. Results knowledge of health effects of PSU was good in 38.1% of the respondents with a mean score of 19.6 ± 10.0. The overall prevalence of PSU was high among current users (16.3%), male participants (78.6%) and those aged 17-years or more (68.6%). Independent predictors of current use of psychoactive substances were poor knowledge of health effects (aOR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.7-10.0) and father´s use of psychoactive substances (aOR: 10.3, 95% CI= 1.9-57.1). Conclusion knowledge of health effects of psychoactive substances was generally poor among the participants with an associated high prevalence among current users. Poor knowledge of its health effects determines the use of psychoactive substances. We conducted awareness campaigns and health talk on health effects of PSU to secondary school students in the State. The Federal Ministry of Education should ensure that PSU-related topics are incorporated in the secondary school curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auwal Usman Abubakar
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nigeria.,Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Kehinde Joseph Awosan
- Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Ismail Abdullateef Raji
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nigeria.,Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | | | - Abdulkarim Mohammad Abdullahi
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nigeria.,Department of Community Medicine, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Aminu Umar Kaoje
- Department of Community Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | | | - Adamu Usman Shehu
- Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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Lokossou VK, Usman AB, Sombie I, Paraiso MN, Balogun MS, Umeokonkwo CD, Gatua J, Wagai J, Ouendo EM, Nguku P. COVID-19 pandemic in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region: implication for capacity strengthening at Point of Entry. Pan Afr Med J 2021; 39:67. [PMID: 34422190 PMCID: PMC8363963 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.67.29089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Free movement between countries without a visa is allowed within the 15-country Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. However, little information is available across the region on the International Health Regulation (IHR 2005) capacities at points of entry (PoE) to detect and respond appropriately to public health emergencies such as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). ECOWAS and the member states can better tailor border health measures across the region by understanding public health strengths and priorities for improvement at PoEs. A comprehensive literature review was combined with a self-assessment of capacities at PoEs across the fifteen member states from February to July 2020. For the assessment, the member states completed an adapted World Health Organization (WHO) self-assessment checklist by classifying capacity for seven domains as fully, partially, or not implemented. The team implemented three focus group discussion (FGD) sessions and 13 key informant interviews (KII) with national-level border health stakeholders. Univariate analysis was used to summarize the assessment data and detailed content analysis was applied to evaluate FGD and KII results. Of the 15 member states, 3 (20%) are landlocked; 3 (20%) have more than one seaport. Eleven (73%) countries have 1 designated airport, 3 (20%) have two airports, and only one country (6.7%) has three airports. Two hundred and seventy-eight designated ground crossings were identified in 12 countries (80%). Strengths across the PoE were existence of decrees and ministerial acts in some ECOWAS countries and establishment of national taskforces for the COVID-19 response at PoE in ECOWAS. Major challenges were porous borders, poor intersectoral coordination, lack of harmonized traveler screening measures, shortage of staff, and inadequate financial resources. Despite all these challenges, there are opportunities such as leveraging the regional cross-border poliomyelitis coordination and control mechanism, and existence of networks of infection prevention and control specialists and field epidemiologists. However, political instabilities in some countries pose a threat to government commitments to PoE activities. The capacity to respond to public health emergencies at PoE in the ECOWAS region is still below IHR standard. Public health capacities at a majority of IHR-designated PoE in the 15-country region do not meet required core capacities standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgil Kuassi Lokossou
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Center for Disease Surveillance and Control, Abuja, Nigeria
- West African Health Organisation, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Issiaka Sombie
- West African Health Organisation, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Chukwuma David Umeokonkwo
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Abuja, Nigeria
- Department of Community Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Josephine Gatua
- Overseas Development Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - John Wagai
- World Health Organization, Nairobi, Kenya
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Usman AB, Ayinde O, Akinyode A, Gbolahan A, Bello B. Epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVD-19) outbreak cases in Oyo State South West Nigeria, March-April 2020. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 35:88. [PMID: 33623612 PMCID: PMC7875810 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.23832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION On March 17th, 2020, Oyo State recorded her first case of COVID-19 through a United Kingdom returnee. Oyo State Ministry of Health with the support of technical and development partners responded quickly and effectively to contain the outbreak. The outbreak was characterized by place, person and time. METHODS Field investigations were conducted and contact tracing and follow up done, all confirmed cases were identified, line-listed and analyzed using Epi-info version 7. RESULTS A total of 34 confirmed cases were identified all within the capital city of Oyo State and two transferred from other states. The mean age was 49.1 ± 2.0 years with over 40% within the age group 50-59 years. There were 11(35.5%) health care workers infection. The case-fatality was 6.5%. The epidemic curve initially shows a typical propagated pattern, followed by a point source; though atypical. CONCLUSION Outbreak of COVID-19 was confirmed in Oyo State. Field investigation provided information on the characteristics of persons, time and place. Intensified surveillance activities such as contact tracing and follow- up, drive through testing and active case search were useful in early case detection and control of the outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishat Bukola Usman
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Abuja, Nigeria
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nigeria
| | - Olubunmi Ayinde
- Department of Public Health, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Ibadan Nigeria
| | - Akinfemi Akinyode
- Department of Public Health, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Ibadan Nigeria
| | - Abass Gbolahan
- Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Ibadan Nigeria
| | - Bashir Bello
- Department of Public Health, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Ibadan Nigeria
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