Strengthening District Health Teams Capacity in Surveillance Systems and Response to Public Health Threats in Western Uganda through Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)

Abstract

Aim: To strengthen the District Capacity in surveillance for effective detec tion, Reporting and Response to Public Health threats. Background: The overall aim of a good surveillance system is to strengthen the capacity of a Health system through training of health personnel who can conduct effec tive surveillance activities. A good surveillance system is achieved through improved use of complete and timely health information to detect changes in time to institute a rapid response to the suspected outbreak of Public Health events. This assessment followed a 3-month Field Epidemiology Training program undertaken by the investigator who applied the acquired knowledge and skills in completion of the assessment. Study Design: It was a descriptive cross-sectional, institutional based epidemiological investigation conducted at district level and Health Centre 1V in Kabarole from 15th De cember 2019-March 2020. eReports were retrieved from DHIS-2 for epidemi ological weeks 44 in 2019 to week 3 in 2020. Data analysis: Micro soft word excel program was used to determine the reporting rates, epidemic disease trends and construction of malaria channel. SWOT analysis was done to identify poor HMIS reporting as the lead surveillance quality challenge and route cause analysis done to determine underlying causes. Results: Weekly reports analyzed were from a total of 53 Health facilities and one Health Cen tre four for malaria channel construction. Of the 53 functional Health facili ties assessed in the district, the average reporting Timeliness was 32% and Completeness at 63% from week 44 in 2019 to week 3 in 2020. This finding shows that the district was not achieving the 80% Timeliness and 80% Com pleteness national target. The poor reporting situation implies that the district