14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
is available electronically on http://www.sciencedirect.com
Final Abstract Number: 81.015
Session: Public Health Interventions, Modeling & Training
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
From strategy to action: The vital roles of trained field epidemiologists and laboratory
management professionals in epidemic control and prevention in Tanzania
O. Oleribe 1 , F. Mosha 1 , M. Mohammed 1 , J. Mghamba 1 , P. Mmbuji 2 , P. Nsubuga 3 , D. Mukanga 4
1 Tanzanian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (TFELTP), Dar Es Salaam,
Tanzania, United Republic of, 2 Tanzanian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar Es Salaam,
Tanzania, United Republic of, 3 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA,
USA, 4 African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Kampala, Uganda
Background: As Africa and other resource limited continents of the world battle with the double
burden of diseases, integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy was adopted
by African World Health Organization region (AFRO) to curtail the occurrence of, and morbidity
and mortality related to, outbreaks of epidemic prone diseases. The strategy also supports proper
management of diseases of public health importance and those targeted for
eradication/elimination. Since its adoption in 1998, there have been challenges in implementation
due to lack of qualified personnel until the paradigm shift to training of field epidemiologist.
Methods: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) working in a smart
collaboration with several African Ministries of Health, WHO, AFENET, Universities and USAID
initiated and inaugurated the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) to
train health workers to predict, identify, timely respond to and control outbreaks to minimize
morbidity and mortality. Trainees are either trained in long courses or short courses. The program
aims to empower trainees to mitigate common infectious causes of morbidity and mortality.
Recent Cholera outbreaks in Tanga and Kigoma, Measles in Dar Es Salaam, H1NI in Zanzibar,
Dar es Salaam and Mbulu and Chemical poisoning in Mara had seen these trained healthworkers
promptly responding and thus shift the epidemic curve to the left
Results: There are now functional rapid response teams at the national levels for all African
countries with established FELTP programs, prompt investigation and response of outbreaks,
minimal morbidity and mortality rates, and effective community involvement in the management of
these outbreaks. In addition, common drivers of epidemics are identified and monitored through
intensified surveillance systems. The availability of standby teams ready to investigate and
mitigate any outbreak irrespective of location and nature is an added advantage.
Conclusion: Although the IDSR strategy is a veritable tool in outbreak investigation and
response, its implementation needs train health workers in field epidemiology and laboratory
management. Such programs should have mechanisms that train, empower and retain the
graduates within the national health care system for a period of time. This is the task that FELTPs
through AFENET is spearheading within the African continent.