scholarly journals Awareness and Preparedness of Field Epidemiology Training Program Graduates to Respond to COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Cross-Sectional Study

10.2196/19047 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e19047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Abdulwahed Al Serouri ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Shahd Osman
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Field Epidemiology Training Program

Background The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is a 2-year training program in applied epidemiology. FETP graduates have contributed significantly to improvements in surveillance systems, control of infectious diseases, and outbreak investigations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Objective Considering the instrumental roles of FETP graduates during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, this study aimed to assess their awareness and preparedness to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in three EMR countries. Methods An online survey was sent to FETP graduates in the EMR in March 2020. The FETP graduates were contacted by email and requested to fill out an online survey. Sufficient number of responses were received from only three countries—Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen. A few responses were received from other countries, and therefore, they were excluded from the analysis. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of the epidemiology of COVID-19, and preparedness to respond to COVID-19. Results This study included a total of 57 FETP graduates (20 from Jordan, 13 from Sudan, and 24 from Yemen). A total of 31 (54%) graduates had attended training on COVID-19, 29 (51%) were members of a rapid response team against COVID-19, and 54 (95%) had previous experience in response to disease outbreaks or health emergencies. The vast majority were aware of the main symptoms, mode of transmission, high-risk groups, and how to use personal protective equipment. A total of 46 (81%) respondents considered themselves well prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak, and 40 (70%) reported that they currently have a role in supporting the country’s efforts in the management of COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusions The FETP graduates in Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen were fully aware of the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the safety measures required, and they are well positioned to investigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they should be properly and efficiently utilized by the Ministries of Health to investigate and respond to the current COVID-19 crisis where the needs are vastly growing and access to outside experts is becoming limited.

scholarly journals Awareness and Preparedness of Field Epidemiology Training Program Graduates to Respond to COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Abdulwahed Al Serouri ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Shahd Osman
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Field Epidemiology Training Program

BACKGROUND The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is a 2-year training program in applied epidemiology. FETP graduates have contributed significantly to improvements in surveillance systems, control of infectious diseases, and outbreak investigations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). OBJECTIVE Considering the instrumental roles of FETP graduates during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, this study aimed to assess their awareness and preparedness to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in three EMR countries. METHODS An online survey was sent to FETP graduates in the EMR in March 2020. The FETP graduates were contacted by email and requested to fill out an online survey. Sufficient number of responses were received from only three countries—Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen. A few responses were received from other countries, and therefore, they were excluded from the analysis. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of the epidemiology of COVID-19, and preparedness to respond to COVID-19. RESULTS This study included a total of 57 FETP graduates (20 from Jordan, 13 from Sudan, and 24 from Yemen). A total of 31 (54%) graduates had attended training on COVID-19, 29 (51%) were members of a rapid response team against COVID-19, and 54 (95%) had previous experience in response to disease outbreaks or health emergencies. The vast majority were aware of the main symptoms, mode of transmission, high-risk groups, and how to use personal protective equipment. A total of 46 (81%) respondents considered themselves well prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak, and 40 (70%) reported that they currently have a role in supporting the country’s efforts in the management of COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS The FETP graduates in Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen were fully aware of the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the safety measures required, and they are well positioned to investigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they should be properly and efficiently utilized by the Ministries of Health to investigate and respond to the current COVID-19 crisis where the needs are vastly growing and access to outside experts is becoming limited.

scholarly journals Intention of Healthcare Workers to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Survey in 10 Countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi ◽  
Azza Mehanna ◽  
Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi ◽  
Mohammad Yasir Essar ◽  
Haider M El Saeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
To Receive

Background: Healthcare workers intention to be vaccinated is an important factor to be consider for successful COVID-19 vaccination programme. Our study aimed to understand the intention of health workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine and associated concerns across 10 countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2021 among healthcare workers using an online survey. A total of 2806 health workers (physicians, nurses and pharmacists) completed and returned the informed consent along with the questionnaire electronically. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. Results: More than half of the respondents (58.0%) intend to receive COVID-19 vaccine, even if the vaccination is not mandatory for them. On the other hand, 25.7% of respondents were not intending to undertake COVID-19 vaccination while 16.3 % answered undecided. The top three reasons for not intending to be vaccinated were unreliability of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials (62.0%), fear of the side effects of the vaccine (45.3%), and that COVID-19 vaccine will not give immunity for a long period of time (23.1%). Conclusion: Overall, our study revealed suboptimal acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in the 10 countries in EMRO.

scholarly journals Jordan Field Epidemiology Training Program: Critical Role in National and Regional Capacity Building (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Ibrahim Iblan ◽  
Mohammed Rasoul Tarawneh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Field Epidemiology

UNSTRUCTURED Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are 2-year training programs in applied epidemiology, established with the purpose of increasing a country’s capacity within the public health workforce to detect and respond to health threats and develop internal expertise in field epidemiology. The Jordan Ministry of Health, in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, started the Jordan FETP (J-FETP) in 1998. Since then, it has achieved a high standard of success and has been established as a model for FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Here we describe the J-FETP, its role in building the epidemiologic capacity of Jordan’s public health workforce, and its activities and achievements, which have grown the program to be self-sustaining within the Jordan Ministry of Health. Since its inception, the program’s residents and graduates have assisted the country to improve its surveillance systems, including revising the mortality surveillance policy, implementing the use of electronic data reporting, investigating outbreaks at national and regional levels, contributing to noncommunicable disease research and surveillance, and responding to regional emergencies and disasters. J-FETP’s structure and systems of support from the Jordan Ministry of Health and local, regional, and international partners have contributed to the success and sustainability of the J-FETP. The J-FETP has contributed significantly to improvements in surveillance systems, control of infectious diseases, outbreak investigations, and availability of reliable morbidity and mortality data in Jordan. Moreover, the program has supported public health and epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Best practices of the J-FETP can be applied to FETPs throughout the world.

scholarly journals Willingness to Vaccinate against COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers: An Online Survey in 10 Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi ◽  
Azza Mehanna ◽  
Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi ◽  
Haider M. El Saeh ◽  
Saddam Abdulhakem Alnahari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
To Receive

BACKGROUND: Willingness of healthcare workers to be vaccinated is an important factor to be considered for a successful COVID-19 vaccination programme. This study aims to understand the willingness of health workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and its associated concerns across 10 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2021 among healthcare workers in EMR using an online survey. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. RESULTS: A total of 2806 health workers (physicians, nurses and pharmacists) completed and returned the informed consent along with the questionnaire electronically. More than half of the respondents (58.0%) were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, even if the vaccination is not mandatory for them. On the other hand, 25.7% of respondents were not willing to take COVID-19 vaccine while 16.3 % were undecided. The top three reasons for not willing to be vaccinated were unreliability of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials (62.0%), fear of the side effects of the vaccine (45.3%), and that COVID-19 vaccine will not give immunity for a long period of time (23.1%). CONCLUSION: Overall, the study revealed suboptimal acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among the respondents in the EMR. Significant refusal of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare professionals can reverse hard-won progress in building public trust in vaccination program. The findings suggest the need to develop tailored strategies to address concerns identified in the study in order to ensure optimal vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers in the EMR.

scholarly journals Awareness and response to Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) epidemic among the Arab population in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Arab Peninsula

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mhammad Saleh ◽  
Marwan Saleh ◽  
Mohammed Nabil Zahid
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Arab Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures

Objectives: This online survey planned to analyze the knowledge and apprehension about coronavirus among the Arab populations.  Methods: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted from 15th May 2020 to 27th May 2020. The survey included a total of 443 Arab participants. Divided into four groups according to the age; under 20 years old (28 participants), 20- 40 (359), 40- 60 (49), and 7 participants were over 60. According to gender; male (318 participants) and female (125). Based on education level, participants were categorized as a secondary school (5 participants), high school (28), university graduated (327), and postgraduate (83).  Results: Most of the participants showed a good adaptation for the precautions concerning isolation and quarantine. 299 participants stayed at home during the COVID-19 outbreak by taking a break from jobs or performing their jobs from home. 144 participants performed partial or full-time jobs from 20-60 groups of age. Most of the population were dependent on social media to receive the update about the virus. 141 participants said that they are not up to date enough about the COVID-19 related to the language barrier. Conclusion: The majority of the participants had heard about COVID-19 and were aware of the infection control measures. Most of the participants strictly adapted to quarantine during the outbreak. Further steps need to be taken to enhance the social media accounts and internet websites in the Arabic language which concern medical and educational content. 

Are we ready for a person-centered care model for patient-physician consultation? A survey from family physicians of East Mediterranean Region

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 394
Author(s):  
Waris Qidwai ◽  
Kashmira Nanji ◽  
Tawfik Khoja ◽  
Salman Rawaf ◽  
Nabil Yasin Al Kurashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Person Centered Care ◽  
Centered Care

Background: Person-centered care has long been identified as a key component of health systems and one of the six domains of quality. This study aimed to identify the perceptions of patients and physicians regarding person-centered care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).Methods: A multicountry, cross-sectional study was conducted in 6 countries of EMR during July 2012 to September 2012. From each country, an expert Family Physician (FP) was identified and invited for the study. During the first phase, 190 FPs practicing for at least 6 months were recruited. In the second phase, the recruited FPs approached 300 patients aged > 18 years with 1 or more recurring problems. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 19.Results: Of a total of 360 patients, 53% were between 25-40 years of age and the majority 55.7% were females. Among physicians, 66.8% were females and 72.1% had undergone specialization in Family Medicine from EMR. About 36% of the patients, while 62.6% of the physicians, preferred a person-centered care model of care. Among physicians, field of specialization (AOR= 0.7; 95% C.I: 0.3-0.9) and regularity in continuing medical education sessions (AOR= 0.3; 95% C.I: 0.1-0.5) were significant factors for preferring a person-centered care model. Educational status (AOR= 3.0; 95% C.I: 1.1-7.9) was associated with a preference for person-centered care among patients.Conclusion: The results of the study highlight that a majority of physicians prefer person-centered care, while patients prefer a mix of both patient- and physician-centered care. Strategies should be developed that will help physicians and patients to embrace person-centered care practices.

scholarly journals Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

10.2196/18956 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e18956
Author(s):  
Zeinab Gura Roka ◽  
Elvis Omondi Oyugi ◽  
Jane Njoki Githuku ◽  
Evalyne Kanyina ◽  
Mark Obonyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Data Consistency ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Public Health Data ◽  
Field Epidemiology Training Program

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.

scholarly journals Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeinab Gura Roka ◽  
Elvis Omondi Oyugi ◽  
Jane Njoki Githuku ◽  
Evalyne Kanyina ◽  
Mark Obonyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Data Consistency ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Public Health Data ◽  
Field Epidemiology Training Program

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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