تقييم كفاءات مسؤولي الرصد الوبائي علي مستوى القطاعات، العراق 2017 == Assessment of Competencies of Surveillance Officers at District Level, Iraq 2017
Author name:
رفل علياء مكي الصافي
Supervisor name:
علياء مكي حسن الصافي
General topic:
Medicine
Specific topic:
Applied Epidemiology
Degree:
Higher Diploma
University:
University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine
Language:
English
University location:
Baghdad
First pages:
19T1455 - p.pdf
Abstract:
Background : Assessment of communicable diseases surveillance officers is regarded as one of important aspects for the detection of obstacles that prevent the development of surveillance system which would certainly affect the control programs of these diseases.Objective : To assess the background characteristics communicable diseases' surveillance officers at all district levels of all Iraqi provinces .Method : A cross sectional study from the 15th March to 30th September,2017 in which all the communicable diseases' surveillance officers (136) that are employed by MOH all over Iraq were included. A structured questionnaire developed by the researcher and explained during coordination meeting for the surveillance unit in DOH/ MOH. It was then sent by e mail to the surveillance focal persons in DOHs at the provinces level. The questionnaire form gathered demographic data, service characteristics and status of their competencies including : basic epidemiology, biostatistics, surveillance, outbreak investigation, rapid response to health incidence, laboratory models, developing scientific reports and the basic computers skills.Results : The response rate was 85.3%, about half of surveillance officers was responsible for less than 10 PHCC, while only 13.8% were responsible for 20 - 29 centres. More than half of surveillance officers (55.3%) were responsible for 1 - 2 hospitals, while only 9.6% were responsible for 3 - 4 hospitals. The age of study participants ranged between 21 and 62 years and the males constituted more than three quarters (78.4%) of the study sample, Diploma was the highest educational certificate. Those who did not attend any training activity constituted 15.6% of the study sample. Cholera was the most frequently reported incident investigated in an outbreak activity (53.8%). Food poisoning was the most frequently reported incident for a rapid response activity (43.8%).Microsoft word was the most frequently reported skill that reached the required level of proficiency (48.3%).Conclusions and recommendations : The health surveillance system in Iraq at district level was operated mainly by low qualified and under - trained health personnel. There is inequity in distribution of work load (regarding PHCCs and hospitals) and training sessions between surveillance officers in health offices, therefore redistribution is recommended which is the responsibility of health policy makers during the planning and implementing health programs.Supporting continuous training programs on epidemiology, biostatistics, outbreak investigation, computer skills and writing scientific research with increase incentives. Availability of computer and internet facilities must be financed.
