Training Needs for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, Surveillance and Control in High-Risk and Resource-Constrained Settings: Findings and Recommendations for Uganda
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ResearchSquare
Abstract
Uganda is prone to Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) which can cause serious epidemics and pandemics. Uganda’s
capacity for EID research, surveillance and control is improving but still low partly due to inadequate highly knowledgeable
and skilled human and animal health workers. To inform the design of training programs that can address Uganda’s health
workforce capacity gaps, we conducted a training needs assessment.A qualitative study involving a desk review, 25 key informant interviews and a 1-day consultative workshop to review study findings.The majority of infectious disease research, surveillance and control in Uganda focuses on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria
and viral hemorrhagic fevers e.g., Ebola and Marburg. Health workforce capacity for surveillance and control is robust
compared to many other resource-constrained settings but research capacity and output are relatively low, especially for EIDs.
Public and private tertiary institutions in Uganda predominantly offer training in primary health care and population studies
through problem-based learning, community-based education and services, and Blended Learning (BL). There are several
training programs in advanced clinical and epidemiological sciences, but few opportunities in biomedical sciences (e.g.
virology, immunology, bioinformatics and predictive modeling), social sciences, One Health and leadership. To address the
gaps, the following interventions were recommended: 1) advanced graduate and/or post-graduate training in basic
biomedical sciences; 2) short-term training for continuous knowledge and skills development in multidisciplinary/One Health
approaches; and 3) pedagogy and mentorship through BL, networking and experiential training programs that effectively
leverage North-South collaborations. Training and mentorship should be achieved by (a) conducting most of the in-person
didactic and experiential training at Southern tertiary and research institutions, (b) utilizing electronic-learning for didactic
training and mentor-mentee interactions with subject-matter experts at Northern institutions, and (c) well-orchestrated
placements at Northern institutions for hands-on experience using the latest advances in science and technology.Inadequate health workforce capacity for EID research was identified as a priority gap that requires long and short-term
multidisciplinary training interventions. Efficiently leveraging North-South collaborations for e-learning, short-term placements
and mentorship will enable Uganda to remain abreast with latest advances in science and technology for EID research,
surveillance and control.
Description
Keywords
Training Needs, Emerging infectious diseases, Research, Surveillance
Citation
Asingura, B., Kiweewa, F., Kaawa-Mafigiri, D., Achabo, S., McCoy, M., Mimbe, D., ... & Wabwire-Mangen, F. (2022). Training Needs for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, Surveillance and Control in High-Risk and Resource-Constrained Settings: Findings and Recommendations for Uganda.https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2096079/v1