ArticleFrontiers in public health2026
Preparedness of the Ghana Health Service for field epidemiology and applied biostatistics: a systematic review protocol of infectious disease surveillance, outbreak investigation methodologies, and statistical modeling capacities in resource-limited settings.
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Infectious disease outbreaks pose significant threats to global health security, with resource-limited settings in West Africa bearing a disproportionate burden. Despite sustained investments in field epidemiology training and surveillance system strengthening, no comprehensive systematic synthesis exists of Ghana Health Service preparedness for field epidemiology and applied biostatistics. This protocol addresses the primary research question: What is the current level of preparedness of the Ghana Health Service for field epidemiology and applied biostatistics, as assessed across World Health Organization International Health Regulations core capacity domains? Preparedness is operationally defined as the measurable capacity of the Ghana Health Service to detect, investigate, confirm, and respond to infectious disease events across the eight WHO IHR core capacity domains, including surveillance, human resources, laboratory systems, and response mechanisms. Methods and analysis: This systematic review follows PRISMA 2020 guidelines and is registered with PROSPERO (CRD420261299788). Searches will be conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, African Index Medicus, African Journals Online, and grey literature sources for studies published from January 2010 to present. Eligible studies include those describing field epidemiology capacity, surveillance system performance, outbreak investigation preparedness, biostatistical capacity, training program outcomes, infrastructure, or health workforce within the Ghana Health Service. Two independent reviewers will screen citations, extract data, and assess quality using study-design-appropriate tools including the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist, CASP Qualitative Checklist, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Primary outcomes are overall field epidemiology preparedness level measured using Joint External Evaluation and State Party Annual Reporting scores, and surveillance system performance with outbreak response capacity. Secondary outcomes include field epidemiology workforce capacity, statistical modeling and biostatistical capacity, and infrastructure and governance systems. Narrative synthesis is the primary analytic approach. Meta-analysis will be conducted where sufficient comparable studies with acceptable methodological homogeneity are identified. Discussion: This review will provide the first comprehensive assessment of Ghana Health Service field epidemiology preparedness mapped against WHO IHR core capacities, generating actionable evidence-based recommendations applicable to similar resource-limited settings across Africa. Ethics and dissemination: No ethical approval is required. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations, and policy briefs for the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, and international stakeholders. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261299788, identifier CRD420261299788.
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