RESUMEN
The COVID-19 pandemic has been persistent with a huge demand for human health resources which is a vital component of its preparedness and response. Globally, the public health workforce through field epidemiology and laboratory training programme (FELTP) has been instrumental to global health security. We determined the status of FELTP in the region and its contributions to the COVID-19 pandemic response in the ECOWAS region. We conducted a desk review, shared a questionnaire among member states and organized a two-day online regional consultative meeting on field epidemiology training on 30th-31st March 2022 during which there were presentations, group discussions and deliberations on the status and contribution of FETP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collected were analyzed in themes. All countries in the ECOWAS region had established at least one tier of FELTP, 11 (73.3%) had established two tiers of FELTP and only 3 (20.0%) had established all three tiers of the program. Despite the pandemic, the cumulative number of graduates increased from 2996 to 4271 frontline, 41 to 380 intermediate, and 409 to 802 for advanced FELTP between 2019 and 2022. However, the progress has been disproportionate across countries. The key activities supported through FELTP graduates included pandemic response coordination, surveillance, data collection/management, laboratory support, case management, risk communication, infection prevention and control, COVID-19 vaccination, and research. Despite improvements in the FELTP in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, there is a need for continuous stakeholder engagement for its implementation, resource mobilization for sustainability, and leveraging critical partnerships.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Epidemiología , Salud Pública , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Salud Pública/educación , Epidemiología/educación , Laboratorios/organización & administración , Pandemias , Personal de Laboratorio/educaciónAsunto(s)
Epidemiología , Urgencias Médicas , Encefalitis , Rhabdoviridae , Mpox , Orthobunyavirus , Vesiculovirus , LepraAsunto(s)
Epidemiología , Pediatría , Humanos , Historia del Siglo XXI , Historia del Siglo XX , NiñoAsunto(s)
Cólera , Dengue , Epidemiología , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Mpox , Fiebre Amarilla , Urgencias MédicasAsunto(s)
Epidemiología , Inmunización , COVID-19 , Hepatitis E , Virus Sincitiales Respiratorios , DengueRESUMEN
The current humanitarian crises in Ukraine and Gaza, along with the chronic crises, and the climate-related disasters, have exposed the limitations of the humanitarian system. Within these contexts, humanitarian organisations frequently struggle with collecting, analysing, interpreting, and utilising health data, due to the challenging environments in which they operate and funding constraints. It is precisely in these contexts that field epidemiology plays a crucial, but often overlooked role.Field epidemiologists face unique challenges, including rapidly changing conditions, poor-quality data, and biases. Despite these difficulties, accurate epidemiological data are essential for needs assessment, guidance on interventions, and advocacy. Conventional methods often need adaptation for crisis settings, and there are still gaps in measurement.This article discusses the role of epidemiology in such contexts, noting a shortage of trained 'humanitarian epidemiologists' and specialised training as major issues.To address these needs, the Italian Association of Epidemiology organised a course in early 2024 to enhance the epidemiological skills of staff working in humanitarian crises and introduce traditional epidemiologists to crisis-specific challenges. The course covered key concepts and methods of field epidemiology, emphasising the use of secondary health data. Its positive reception underscored the demand for such specialised training.Improving public health information collection and use in humanitarian crises is an ethical and practical necessity. Indeed, investing in field epidemiology and recognising its importance can enhance humanitarian interventions and better serve vulnerable populations.
Asunto(s)
Altruismo , Epidemiología , Italia/epidemiología , Humanos , Epidemiología/educación , Ucrania/epidemiología , Epidemiólogos , Sistemas de Socorro/organización & administración , Desastres , Medio Oriente/epidemiología , Sociedades Médicas , Recursos HumanosAsunto(s)
Salud Pública , Refugiados , Humanos , Refugiados/estadística & datos numéricos , EpidemiologíaRESUMEN
Purpose: Professionals in the field of maternal and child health (MCH) epidemiology are publicly recognized by the Coalition for Excellence in MCH Epidemiology representing 16 national MCH agencies and organizations. Description: During the CityMatCH Leadership and MCH Epidemiology Conference, the national awards are presented to public health professionals for improving the health of women, children, and families. The awards have evolved over the last two decades with focus on awardees that represent more types of MCH public health professionals. Assessment: Since 2000, the Coalition has presented 111 national awards in the areas of advancing knowledge, effective practice, outstanding leadership, excellence in teaching and mentoring, early career professional achievement, and lifetime achievement. Effective practice awards were most often presented at 45 awards, followed by early career professional achievement with 20. The awardees varied by place of employment with 37 employed at academic institutions, 33 in federal government positions, 32 in state or county government, seven in non-profit and two in clinical organizations. Awards were almost equally distributed by gender with 49 presented to women and 48 to men. Assessment of career advancement among previous awardees and acknowledging workforce challenges are gaps identified within the national awards process. Conclusion: Recognition of deserving MCH professionals sets the standard for those entering the field of MCH epidemiology and offers opportunity to recognize those who have built capacity and improved the health of women, children, and families.
Asunto(s)
Distinciones y Premios , Salud Infantil , Epidemiología , Humanos , Salud Infantil/normas , Femenino , Niño , Liderazgo , Masculino , Salud Materna/normas , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Objective: To systematically review the progress, advantages, disadvantages, precautions and future trends of virtual simulation technology used in epidemiology teaching. Methods: A systematical literature retrieval was conducted by using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP Paper Check System with key words of epidemiology, teaching and virtual simulation, and the literatures included were screened and classified with narrative integration method. Chinese virtual simulation teaching platforms were used to select the literatures about existing epidemiology virtual simulation teaching projects for integration and analysis. Results: A total of 22 articles were included (7 in Chinese and 15 in English), most of which were teaching projects for students majoring in Public Health. We also found 24 national first-class courses and 21 provincial first-class courses in virtual simulation of epidemiology in China. The application of virtual simulation technology in epidemiology education is still in its infancy, and the interaction degree is mostly moderate. It is mainly used in three scenarios: improving the visualization degree of complex concepts and structures, training the operational skills through low-risk and low-cost virtual environment, serving as an effective supplement to the teaching of epidemiological field investigation and response to public health emergencies. In terms of effect, it is conducive to students' understanding of epidemiology related phenomena and principles, and has the advantages of breaking through time and space constraints, reducing teaching costs and risks, improving students' attention and satisfaction and so on. However, it also faces the lack of foundation in the initial stage, and some students have problems such as psychological and physiological discomfort. In the future, we need to optimize the development process, program design and so on. At the same time, we should conduct more in-depth research on cost calculation, effect evaluation and curriculum integration. Conclusions: The application of virtual simulation technology in epidemiology education is an important part of training high-level applied public health talents. We encourage to actively carry out virtual simulation teaching in epidemiology, and train public health talents with Chinese characteristics.