Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

Roka, Zeinab Gura; Oyugi, Elvis; Githuku, Jane; Kanyina, Evalyne; Obonyo, Mark; Omballa, Victor; Boru, Waqo; Ransom, James

doi:10.2196/18956

Cited by 6 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Table 1 presents the characteristics of the studies along with a summary of their findings. The evaluations covered the three different program modalities in various countries or regions, including Yemen ( 12 ), Ethiopia ( 13 , 14 ), Guinea ( 15 ), Tanzania ( 16 ), United Kingdom ( 17 ), South Africa ( 18 ), Kenya ( 19 ), Ghana ( 20 ), India ( 9 ). Two studies evaluated the FETPs in selected countries in the EMR ( 7 , 8 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two studies evaluated the FETPs in selected countries in the EMR ( 7 , 8 ). Five studies evaluated the frontline FETP ( 7 , 13 – 15 , 19 ), one study evaluated the intermediate FETP ( 16 ), and six studies evaluated the advanced FETP ( 8 , 9 , 12 , 17 , 18 , 20 ). Ten studies were published between 2019 and 2023 ( 7 , 8 , 12 – 19 ), and two studies were published between 2011 and 2012 ( 9 , 20 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Five studies evaluated the frontline FETP ( 7 , 13 – 15 , 19 ), one study evaluated the intermediate FETP ( 16 ), and six studies evaluated the advanced FETP ( 8 , 9 , 12 , 17 , 18 , 20 ). Ten studies were published between 2019 and 2023 ( 7 , 8 , 12 – 19 ), and two studies were published between 2011 and 2012 ( 9 , 20 ). Of the 12 included studies, 9 evaluations were conducted utilizing the qualitative method, and 3 evaluations were conducted using the mixed methods.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The samples included different respondents, as some evaluations included more than one group of respondents. Five studies included FETP graduates in the sample ( 7 , 8 , 12 , 15 , 19 ). Four studies included trainees/residents ( 9 , 16 , 18 , 20 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of field epidemiology training programs: a scoping review

Al Nsour,

Khasawneh,

Khader

et al. 2024

Front. Epidemiol.

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ObjectivesField Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are competency-based training programs that play a critical role in strengthening global health security and enhancing the epidemiological capabilities of public health professionals. This scoping review examined available published literature on the evaluations of FETPs globally.MethodsA literature review was conducted to evaluate FETPs globally. Keywords specific to the evaluation of FETPs were utilized to search the PubMed, Scopus, and Web Science databases. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 relevant studies from an initial pool of 60 were included in this study. Data extraction included key details, and a qualitative synthesis organized diverse findings using a narrative approach to draw appropriate conclusions and generate recommendations.ResultsThe review covered findings from 12 studies covering all three FETP modalities and spanning countries in various regions. Evaluations explored gained skills, engagement in FETP activities, and improvements in field epidemiological functions. Gained skills and knowledge, engagement in FETP activities, and improvements in field epidemiological functions were evident, with specific expectations for each FETP tier. Positive outcomes were consistent across studies, revealing improvements in surveillance activities, outbreak response, data management, and other system functions.ConclusionThis review confirmed the positive impact of FETPs on trainees and graduates, which emphasized competency enhancements across different modalities. Various strategies are recommended to improve the evaluation of FETPs. For effective evaluation, it is necessary to develop robust evaluation tools and establish standardized metrics to compare FETPs across regions or countries.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Evaluation of field epidemiology training programs: a scoping review

Al Nsour,

Khasawneh,

Khader

et al. 2024

Front. Epidemiol.

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“…Evaluation of FETP-Frontline in other countries also documented the effectiveness of the program. Studies conducted in Guinea [ 36 ], Liberia [ 37 ], Zambia [ 22 ] and Kenya [ 38 ] documented that the trained officers had improved capacity. Effectiveness of FETP-Frontline has also been reported with regards to improved surveillance data, quality surveillance reports, case investigations, outbreak investigations, and surveillance system improvements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Ethiopia’s field epidemiology training program – frontline: perspectives of implementing partners

Kebebew

Woldetsadik

Barker

et al. 2023

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) has been adopted as an epidemiology and response capacity building strategy worldwide. FETP-Frontline was introduced in Ethiopia in 2017 as a three-month in-service training. In this study, we evaluated implementing partners’ perspectives with the aim of understanding program effectiveness and identifying challenges and recommendations for improvement. Methods A qualitative cross-sectional design was utilized to evaluate Ethiopia’s FETP-Frontline. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, qualitative data were collected from FETP-Frontline implementing partners, including regional, zonal, and district health offices across Ethiopia. We collected data through in-person key informant interviews, using semi-structured questionnaires. Thematic analysis was conducted, assisted with MAXQDA, while ensuring interrater reliability by using the consistent application of theme categorization. The major themes that emerged were program effectiveness, knowledge and skills differences between trained and untrained officers, program challenges, and recommended actions for improvement. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants, and confidentiality of the data was maintained throughout. Results A total of 41 interviews were conducted with key informants from FETP-Frontline implementing partners. The regional and zonal level experts and mentors had a Master of Public Health (MPH), whereas district health managers were Bachelor of Science (BSc) holders. Majority of the respondents reflected a positive perception towards FETP-Frontline. Regional and zonal officers as well as mentors mentioned that there were observable performance differences between trained and untrained district surveillance officers. They also identified various challenges including lack of resources for transportation, budget constraints for field projects, inadequate mentorship, high staff turnover, limited number of staff at the district level, lack of continued support from stakeholders, and the need for refresher training for FETP-Frontline graduates. Conclusions Implementing partners reflected a positive perception towards FETP-Frontline in Ethiopia. In addition to scaling-up the program to reach all districts to achieve the International Health Regulation 2005 goals, the program also needs to consider addressing immediate challenges, primarily lack of resources and poor mentorship. Continued monitoring of the program, refresher training, and career path development could improve retention of the trained workforce.

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A comparative cross-sectional evaluation of the Field Epidemiology Training Program-Frontline in Ethiopia

et al. 2022

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Background The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)-Frontline is a three-month in-service training aimed at improving surveillance officers’ capacity to collect, analyze, and interpret surveillance data, and respond to health emergencies. We evaluated the effectiveness of the FETP-Frontline which was introduced in Ethiopia in 2016. Methods We conducted a comparative, randomized cross-sectional study to assess surveillance-related knowledge, skills, and performance among trained and untrained officers using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. We compared the knowledge, skills, and performance scores of trained and untrained officers using the Fisher’s Exact test, chi-square test, and t-test at p-value < 0.05 for statistical significance. Results We conducted the study among 74 trained and 76 untrained surveillance officers. About three-quarters of all participants were male, and the average age was 34 (± 8.6) years. Completeness and timeliness of surveillance reports were significantly higher among trained than untrained surveillance officers. The trained officers were more likely to have produced epidemiologic bulletins (55% vs 33%), conducted active surveillance six months before the survey (88% vs 72%), provided surveillance training (88% vs 65%), conducted strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis (55% vs 17%), and utilized Microsoft Excel to manage surveillance data (87% vs 47%). We also observed improved surveillance officers’ perceived skills and knowledge, and the availability and quality of surveillance formats and reports among the trained group. Conclusions FETP-Frontline trained surveillance officers demonstrated better knowledge, skills, and performance in most surveillance activities compared to the untrained officers. FETP-Frontline can address competency gaps among district surveillance officers in Ethiopia and other countries. Scaling up the program to cover unreached districts can enable achieving the human resource development core capacity requirement of the International Health Regulations 2005.

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Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

Evaluation of field epidemiology training programs: a scoping review

Evaluation of field epidemiology training programs: a scoping review

Evaluation of Ethiopia’s field epidemiology training program – frontline: perspectives of implementing partners

A comparative cross-sectional evaluation of the Field Epidemiology Training Program-Frontline in Ethiopia

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