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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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Roka ZG, Oyugi EO, Githuku JN, Kanyina E, Obonyo M, Omballa V, Boru WG, Ransom J. Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study. JMIR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2021; 7:e18956. [PMID: 33416507 PMCID: PMC7822718 DOI: 10.2196/18956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, Kenya's Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) initiated a 3-month field-based frontline training, Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP-F), for local public health workers. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to measure the effect of FETP-F on participant workplace practices regarding quality and consistency of public health data, critical interaction with public health data, and improvements in on-time reporting (OTR). METHODS Between February and April 2017, FELTP conducted a mixed methods evaluation via online survey to examine outcomes achieved among all 215 graduates from 2014 and 2015. Data quality assessment (DQA) and data consistency assessment (DCA) scores, OTR percentages, and ratings of the training experience were the quantitative measures tracked from baseline and then at 6-month intervals up to 18 months postcompletion of the training. The qualitative component consisted of semistructured face-to-face interviews and observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed to identify key themes and dimensions. RESULTS In total, 103 (47%) graduates responded to the survey. Quantitative analyses showed that the training significantly increased the mean DQA and OTR scores but there was a nonsignificant increase in mean DCA scores. Qualitative analyses found that 68% of respondents acquired new skills, 83% applied those skills to their day-to-day work, and 91% improved work methods. CONCLUSIONS FETP-F improved overall data quality and OTR at the agency level but had minimal impact on data consistency between local, county, and national public health agencies. Participants reported that they acquired practical skills that improved data collation and analysis and OTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Gura Roka
- Ministry of Health, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Jane Njoki Githuku
- Ministry of Health, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evalyne Kanyina
- Ministry of Health, Emergency Operations Centre, Directorate of Public Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mark Obonyo
- Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, Subregional Office of Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Victor Omballa
- Bioreference Laboratories, Elmwood Park, NJ, United States
| | - Waqo Gufu Boru
- Ministry of Health, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Ransom
- Piret Partners Consulting, Washington, DC, United States
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