Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33849899›Full record

ReviewBMJ global health2021

The role of Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme in strengthening the public health workforce in Namibia, 2012-2019.

Kofi Mensah Nyarko, Leigh Ann Miller, Andrew L Baughman, Puumue Katjiuanjo, Michele Evering-Watley, Simon Antara, Penehafo Angula, Honore K Mitonga, Dimitri Prybylski, Eric J Dziuban and 1 more

Open access · goldAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in BMJ global health, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
0.2field-weighted citation impact, top 47% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 3 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Kofi Mensah NyarkoNamibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia konyarko22@yahoo.com.ORCID 0000-0002-1657-3167
Leigh Ann MillerUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia.
Andrew L BaughmanUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia.
Puumue KatjiuanjoNamibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia.
Michele Evering-WatleyUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia.
Simon AntaraNamibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia.
Penehafo AngulaSchool of Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
Honore K MitongaSchool of Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
Dimitri PrybylskiUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia.
Eric J DziubanUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia.
Emmy-Else NdevaetelaNamibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia.
Ministry of Health and Social Services · NAUniversity of Namibia · NA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Namibia faces a critical shortage of skilled public health workers to perform emergency response operations, preparedness activities and real-time surveillance. The Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (NamFELTP) increases the number of skilled public health professionals and strengthens the public health system in Namibia. We describe the NamFELTP during its first 7 years, assess its impact on the public health workforce and provide recommendations to further strengthen the workforce. We reviewed disease outbreak investigations and response reports, field projects and epidemiological investigations conducted during 2012-2019. The data were analysed using descriptive methods such as frequencies and rates. Maps representing the geographical distribution of NamFELTP workforce were produced using QGIS software V.3.2. There were no formally trained field epidemiologists working in Namibia before the NamFELTP. In its 7 years of operation, the programme graduated 189 field epidemiologists, of which 28 have completed the Advanced FELTP. The graduates increased epidemiological capacity for surveillance and response in Namibia at the national and provincial levels, and enhanced epidemiologist-led outbreak responses on 35 occasions, including responses to outbreaks of human and zoonotic diseases. Trainees analysed data from 51 surveillance systems and completed 31 epidemiological studies. The NamFELTP improved outcomes in the Namibia's public health systems; including functional and robust public health surveillance systems that timely and effectively respond to public health emergencies. However, the current epidemiological capacity is insufficient and there is a need to continue training and mentorship to fill key leadership and strategic roles in the public health system.

Indexed as

LaboratoriesPublic HealthHealth WorkforceHumansNamibiaWorkforcedescriptive studyepidemiologypublic health

Identifiers

PMID33849899
PMCPMC8051409
OpenAlexW3155824817

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.