1
|
Kebebew T, Woldetsadik MA, Barker J, Cui A, Abedi AA, Sugerman DE, Williams DE, Turcios-Ruiz RM, Takele T, Zeynu N. Evaluation of Ethiopia's field epidemiology training program - frontline: perspectives of implementing partners. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:406. [PMID: 37101262 PMCID: PMC10131477 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09384-w] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) has been adopted as an epidemiology and response capacity building strategy worldwide. FETP-Frontline was introduced in Ethiopia in 2017 as a three-month in-service training. In this study, we evaluated implementing partners' perspectives with the aim of understanding program effectiveness and identifying challenges and recommendations for improvement. METHODS A qualitative cross-sectional design was utilized to evaluate Ethiopia's FETP-Frontline. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, qualitative data were collected from FETP-Frontline implementing partners, including regional, zonal, and district health offices across Ethiopia. We collected data through in-person key informant interviews, using semi-structured questionnaires. Thematic analysis was conducted, assisted with MAXQDA, while ensuring interrater reliability by using the consistent application of theme categorization. The major themes that emerged were program effectiveness, knowledge and skills differences between trained and untrained officers, program challenges, and recommended actions for improvement. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants, and confidentiality of the data was maintained throughout. RESULTS A total of 41 interviews were conducted with key informants from FETP-Frontline implementing partners. The regional and zonal level experts and mentors had a Master of Public Health (MPH), whereas district health managers were Bachelor of Science (BSc) holders. Majority of the respondents reflected a positive perception towards FETP-Frontline. Regional and zonal officers as well as mentors mentioned that there were observable performance differences between trained and untrained district surveillance officers. They also identified various challenges including lack of resources for transportation, budget constraints for field projects, inadequate mentorship, high staff turnover, limited number of staff at the district level, lack of continued support from stakeholders, and the need for refresher training for FETP-Frontline graduates. CONCLUSIONS Implementing partners reflected a positive perception towards FETP-Frontline in Ethiopia. In addition to scaling-up the program to reach all districts to achieve the International Health Regulation 2005 goals, the program also needs to consider addressing immediate challenges, primarily lack of resources and poor mentorship. Continued monitoring of the program, refresher training, and career path development could improve retention of the trained workforce.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tolcha Kebebew
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Mahlet A Woldetsadik
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jordan Barker
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Angelina Cui
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Aisha A Abedi
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David E Sugerman
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Desmond E Williams
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Reina M Turcios-Ruiz
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tariku Takele
- Center for Public Health Emergency Management, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Neima Zeynu
- Center for Public Health Emergency Management, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mirza FN, Mirza HN, Horien C, Huynh N. From Skin Infections to Ebola: Practice, Policy, and Beyond: An Interview with Gregory Raczniak, MD, PhD
. Yale J Biol Med 2017; 90:341-343. [PMID: 28656021 PMCID: PMC5482311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fatima N. Mirza
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England,To whom all correspondence should be addressed: Fatima N. Mirza, 367 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, .
| | | | - Corey Horien
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Nancy Huynh
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| |
Collapse
|