Preparedness of health care systems for Ebola outbreak response in Kasese and Rubirizi districts, Western Uganda
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC public health
Abstract
The level of preparedness of the health care workers, the health facility and the entire health system
determines the magnitude of the impact of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak as demonstrated by the West
African Ebola outbreak. The objective of the study was to assess preparedness of the health care facilities and
identify appropriate preparedness measures for Ebola outbreak response in Kasese and Rubirizi districts in western
Uganda.
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted by interviewing 189 health care workers using a
structured questionnaire and visits to 22 health facilities to determine the level of health care system preparedness
to EVD outbreak. District level infrastructure capabilities, existence of health facility logistics and supplies, and health
care workers’ knowledge of EVD was assessed. EVD Preparedness was assessed on infrastructure and logistical capabilities
and the level of knowledge of an individual health work about the etiology, control and prevention of EVD.
Results: Twelve out of the 22 of the health facilities, especially health center III’s and IV’s, did not have a line budget to
respond to EVD when there was a threat of EVD in a nearby country. The majority (n = 13) of the facilities did not have
the following: case definition books, rapid response teams and/or committees, burial teams, and simulation drills. There
were no personal protective equipment that could be used within 8 h in case of an EVD outbreak in fourteen of the
22 health facilities. All facilities did not have Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) incident management centers, isolation units,
guidelines for burial, and one-meter distance between a health care worker and a patient during triage. Overall, 54% (n =
102) of health care workers (HCWs) did not know the incubation period of EVD. HCWs who had tertiary education (aOR =
5.79; CI = 1.79–18.70; p = 0.003), and were Christian (aOR = 10.47; CI = 1.94–56.4; p = 0.006) were more likely to know about
the biology, incubation period, causes and prevention of EVD.
Conclusions: Feedback on the level of preparedness for the rural districts helps inform strategies for building capacity of
these health centers in terms of infrastructure, logistics and improving knowledge of health care workers.
Description
Keywords
Ebola, Disease outbreak preparedness, Health care systems, Infection prevention control
Citation
Kibuule, M., Sekimpi, D., Agaba, A., Halage, A. A., Jonga, M., Manirakiza, L., ... & Rwego, I. B. (2021). Preparedness of health care systems for Ebola outbreak response in Kasese and Rubirizi districts, Western Uganda. BMC public health, 21(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10273-2