scholarly journals Networking for applied field epidemiology – Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) Conference 2011

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 990-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Al Nsour ◽  
R. Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Applied Field ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Health Network ◽  
Field Epidemiology

scholarly journals The Role of the Global Health Development/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network and the Eastern Mediterranean Field Epidemiology Training Programs in Preparedness for COVID-19

10.2196/18503 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e18503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Abulwahed Al Serouri ◽  
Elfatih Malik ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Development ◽  
Health Network ◽  
The Public ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Variable Capacity ◽  
Health Threats

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have a high vulnerability and variable capacity to respond to outbreaks. Many of these countries addressed the need for increasing capacity in the areas of surveillance and rapid response to public health threats. Moreover, countries addressed the need for communication strategies that direct the public to actions for self- and community protection. This viewpoint article aims to highlight the contribution of the Global Health Development (GHD)/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) and the EMR’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETPs) to prepare for and respond to the current COVID-19 threat. GHD/EMPHNET has the scientific expertise to contribute to elevating the level of country alert and preparedness in the EMR and to provide technical support through health promotion, training and training materials, guidelines, coordination, and communication. The FETPs are currently actively participating in surveillance and screening at the ports of entry, development of communication materials and guidelines, and sharing information to health professionals and the public. However, some countries remain ill-equipped, have poor diagnostic capacity, and are in need of further capacity development in response to public health threats. It is essential that GHD/EMPHNET and FETPs continue building the capacity to respond to COVID-19 and intensify support for preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

scholarly journals The Role of the Global Health Development/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network and the Eastern Mediterranean Field Epidemiology Training Programs in Preparedness for COVID-19 (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Abulwahed Al Serouri ◽  
Elfatih Malik ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Development ◽  
Health Network ◽  
The Public ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Variable Capacity ◽  
Health Threats

UNSTRUCTURED The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020. Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have a high vulnerability and variable capacity to respond to outbreaks. Many of these countries addressed the need for increasing capacity in the areas of surveillance and rapid response to public health threats. Moreover, countries addressed the need for communication strategies that direct the public to actions for self- and community protection. This viewpoint article aims to highlight the contribution of the Global Health Development (GHD)/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) and the EMR’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETPs) to prepare for and respond to the current COVID-19 threat. GHD/EMPHNET has the scientific expertise to contribute to elevating the level of country alert and preparedness in the EMR and to provide technical support through health promotion, training and training materials, guidelines, coordination, and communication. The FETPs are currently actively participating in surveillance and screening at the ports of entry, development of communication materials and guidelines, and sharing information to health professionals and the public. However, some countries remain ill-equipped, have poor diagnostic capacity, and are in need of further capacity development in response to public health threats. It is essential that GHD/EMPHNET and FETPs continue building the capacity to respond to COVID-19 and intensify support for preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

scholarly journals Field Epidemiology and Public Health Research Priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Delphi Technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Tala Chahien ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Mirwais Amiri ◽  
Hana Taha
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Epidemiology And Public Health

Research is essential for evidence-based decision making. This study aimed to identify research priorities in the areas of field epidemiology and public health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) from the perspectives of public health professionals. A Delphi technique, using online survey, was employed to reach 168 public health professionals who have experience in the EMR countries. The study took place between November 2019 and January 2020. Consensus on the research priorities was reached after two-round online questionnaires. A list of top 10 field epidemiology and public health research priorities in the EMR was developed. Of those priorities, four fell under health in emergency, war and armed conflict, two under communicable diseases, two under immunization, one under digital health, and one under sexual, reproductive, and adolescent health. Availability, adequacy, and quality of health services in crisis settings were scored as a top priority (mean = 4.4, rank 1), followed by use of technology to improve the collection, documentation, and analysis of health data (mean = 4.28, rank 2), and capacity of countries in the region to respond to emergencies (mean = 4.25, rank 3). This study was conducted prior to COVID-19 pandemic and, thus, it did not capture COVID-19 research as a priority area. Nevertheless, identified priorities under communicable diseases including outbreak investigation of infectious diseases, epidemics and challenges related to communicable diseases in the EMR were still notable. In conclusion, the field epidemiology and public health research priorities identified in this study through a systematic inclusive process could be useful to make informed decisions and gear the research efforts to improve the health of people in the EMR.

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 The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network: A Resource for Improving Public Health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
Health Network

UNSTRUCTURED Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) face many challenges in terms of improving population health and progressing toward sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper aims to describe the approach taken by the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) to help strengthen health systems in the EMR and enable progress toward sustainable development targets, the tools it used, and its achievements. The EMPHNET is a nonprofit organization that has worked to support EMR countries in strengthening their public health systems since its establishment in 2009. The EMPHNET invests in building workforce capacity in applied epidemiology by supporting field epidemiology training programs in more than 10 countries in the EMR, while ensuring country ownership of these programs. The EMPHNET established the Global Health Development (GHD) to maximize support for positive change and SDG progress. As an implementing arm to the EMPHNET, GHD aligns its strategies with national policies and directions. The GHD/EMPHNET works at the regional, national, and subnational levels and tailors solutions for the local context. Over the past years, the EMPHNET succeeded in partnering with over 13 countries and provided technical assistance to leverage country efforts and maximize resource use. The EMPHNET’s Center of Excellence for Applied Epidemiology focuses on building capacity in population health and applied epidemiology. The EMPHNET supports countries in delivering effective public health programs by building capacity and conducting research to prevent and control emerging and reemerging diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, and noncommunicable diseases. The commitment to the region together with the increased trust and assertion from the countries helped GHD/EMPHNET build a strong portfolio, which was made possible by the interconnected effort that continues to nurture and foster better health among people living in the EMR.

scholarly journals Innovative Approaches to Improve Public Health Practice in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Findings From the Sixth Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network Regional Conference (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashiruddin Noormal ◽  
Elmuez Eltayeb ◽  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Ezzeddine Mohsni ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Health Network ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Regional Conference ◽  
Poster Presentations

UNSTRUCTURED Public health professionals in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) have limited access to continuing education, including workshops and conferences in public health. Held under the theme Innovative Approaches: Adapting to the Current EMR Context, the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) organized and conducted the Sixth EMPHNET Regional Conference from March 26 to 29, 2018. This paper summarizes the key activities including workshops, roundtable discussions, oral and poster presentations, keynote speeches, and side meetings. Before the opening, 5 preconference workshops were held: “Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) Accreditation,” “Innovative Public Health Surveillance,” “Human and Animal Brucellosis,” “Rapid Response Teams,” and “Polio Transition and Routine Immunization.” The conference hosted 6 roundtable discussions: “Consolidation of the FETP Network,” “One Health to Achieve Global Health Security,” “Polio Eradication Efforts and Transition Planning for Measles Elimination,” “Mobile Data Collection and Other Innovative Tools to Enhance Decision Making,” “Confronting Candida auris: An Emerging Multidrug-resistant Global Pathogen,” and “Functioning and Sustainable Country Public Health Emergency Response Operation Framework.” One of the conference’s key objectives was to provide a space for FETP residents, graduates, and public health professionals to showcase achievements. A total of 421 abstracts were submitted and after professional review, 34.9% (147/421) were accepted (111 for oral presentations and 36 for poster presentations) and published by Iproceeding. The conference met the primary objectives of showcasing the public health accomplishments and contributions of the EMR, encouraging the exchange of ideas and coordination among stakeholders, and engaging cross-sectoral workforce in producing recommendations for approaching regional and global health concerns. Moreover, the conference presented a unique opportunity for FETPs and other public health professionals from the Mediterranean region to present their significant scientific work and also facilitated networking among professionals. EMPHNET strives to continue to present similar exchange opportunities for public health professionals in the region.

scholarly journals Highlights and conclusions from the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) Conference 2011

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Al Nsour ◽  
R. Kaiser ◽  
E. Abd Elkreem ◽  
H. Walke ◽  
A. Kandeel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Health Network

scholarly journals Evaluation of Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Multi-country Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Majd Alsoukhni
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Scientific Research Articles

Abstract Background: Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are competency-based training programs aiming to strengthen epidemiologic capacity of public health workforce. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and ascertain whether the expected objectives of the programs are metMethods: A descriptive study was conducted based on the Kirkpatrick’s model for evaluating training programs. Data were collected from FETP graduates and FETP technical advisers using online surveys through separate questionnaires. Questions were designed to assess the practices of FETP graduates, their engagement in key areas of field epidemiology, and their perceived skills and capacity to perform such activities.Results: A total of 166 FETP graduates responded to the online survey. Almost two thirds of FETP graduates reported that they are often engaged in managing public health surveillance system (n=119, 71.7%), analyzing the surveillance data (n=116, 69.9%), training public health professionals (n=113, 68.1%), outbreaks investigations and response (n=109, 65.7%), and managing staff and resources (n=106, 63.9%). However, only 28.3% reported that they are often engaged in writing scientific research articles. More than two thirds of graduates reported that the FETP helped them to perform most of the field epidemiology activities and rated their skills as good. However, smaller percentages of the graduates reported that their skills are good in applying simple tools for economic analysis (65, 39.2%) and writing scientific research articles (67, 40.4%).Conclusion: FETPs in the EMR have strengthened the epidemiologic capacity of public health workforce and increased the engagement of FETP graduates in public health services and field epidemiology activities. Therefore, the FETPs should continue supporting the graduates to work toward strengthening surveillance systems and outbreak investigation and to participate in regional and global efforts as part of Global Health Security. Establishment of new FETPs in other countries of the region should be supported to improve public health in all countries of the region.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Multi-Country Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Majd Alsoukhni
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are competency-based training programs aiming to strengthen the epidemiologic capacity of the public health workforce. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the advanced FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) and ascertain whether the expected objectives of the programs are met. A descriptive study was conducted based on Kirkpatrick's model for evaluating training programs. Data were collected from FETP graduates and FETP technical advisers on the practices of FETP graduates, their engagement in key areas of field epidemiology, and their perceived skills and capacity to perform such activities. A total of 166 FETP graduates responded to the online survey. Almost two-thirds of FETP graduates reported that they are often engaged in managing public health surveillance systems (n = 119, 71.7%), analyzing the surveillance data (n = 116, 69.9%), training public health professionals (n = 113, 68.1%), investigations on and response to outbreaks (n = 109, 65.7%), and managing staff and resources (n = 106, 63.9%). However, only 28.3% reported that they are often engaged in writing scientific research articles. More than two-thirds of graduates reported that the FETP helped them to perform most of the field epidemiology activities and rate their skills as good. In conclusion, the FETP graduates in the EMR were well engaged in many field epidemiology activities including managing public health surveillance systems, surveillance data analysis, training public health professionals, and investigations on and response to outbreaks. Therefore, the FETPs should continue supporting the graduates to work toward strengthening surveillance systems and investigating outbreaks and to participate in regional and global efforts as part of the Global Health Security.

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