Ethiopian Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program (EFELTP) Compiled Body of Work in Field Epidemiology

Abstract

Executive summary: This body of work is the summary of all outputs made during a two years and 4 four month field residency in the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program. These include outbreak investigations, surveillance data analysis, surveillance evaluation system, health profile description, Zonal Hospital Laboratory Quality Manual preparation, Research and other activities. Investigation of acute watery diarrhea outbreak in Warder District of Somalia, region, Ethiopia, August 2017, was done. These investigations were conducted as part of public health response for the outbreaks. The outbreaks were described by person, place and time characteristics, possible causes or risk factors and sources of the outbreaks were identified. Public health interventions were done further control and prevention measures were implemented following the investigations. Five years AFP data was analyzed (January, 2016 to December, 2015) in Tigray region. The routine surveillance data of AFP infection was important to identify the regions key indicator performance. So accordingly In this study the region reporting of NPAFP rate (none polio virus acute flaccid paralysis), stool adequacy rate were within range of the WHO standards. None of the cases were confirmed poliomyelitis. Evaluation of a community based acute watery diarrhea (AWD) surveillance system of mekelle Zone, Tigray region north Ethiopia was conducted with the objective of assessing the performance and operation of the system, and identifying possible gaps. According to different woreda administrative focal person AWD was seen in areas where low water resources and population in use of holly water for drinking. In addition low work productivity because of incentive, no laboratory confirmatory, low skill of computer was seen. According to the direction of SPHMMC I was customized one zonal hospital laboratory quality policy manual to help the hospital activity work in achieving, maintaining and improving accuracy, timeliness and reliability laboratory results. More over the laboratory build national capacities for the detection and response to public health events of international concern.