The Field Epidemiology Training Program’s Contribution to Essential Public Health Functions in Seven National Public Health Institutes

Journal Article · 15 August 2023 · International Journal of Public Health

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1606191 · OSTI ID:2471299

Cui, Angelina ^[1]; Hamdani, Sakina ^[2]; Woldetsadik, Mahlet A. ^[2]; Clerville, Jacques W. ^[1]; Hu, Audrey ^[3]; Abedi, Aisha A. ^[1]; Bratton, Shelly ^[2]; Turcios-Ruiz, Reina M. ^[2]

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1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA (United States). Center for Global Health; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA (United States). Center for Global Health
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA (United States). Center for Global Health; Public Health Institute, Oakland, CA (United States)

Objective: This study explores how Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETP) whose National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) are supported by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have contributed to strengthening essential public health functions. Methods: We conducted 96 semi-structured interviews with public health experts including NPHI staff, non-NPHI government staff, and staff from non-governmental and international organizations in Cambodia, Colombia, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia. We managed data using MAXQDA and employed direct content analysis to derive themes. Results: Three overarching themes emerged in relation to FETPs’ role within the NPHIs’ public health functions. These themes included contribution to improving country surveillance systems, role in providing leadership in outbreak responses, and strengthening countries’ and the NPHIs’ surveillance workforce capacity. Participants also shared challenges around FETPs’ implementation and suggestions for improvement. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the value of FETPs in strengthening public health systems through building workforce capacity and improving surveillance systems. By identifying the successes of FETPs in contributing to essential public health functions, our findings might inform current and future FETP implementation and its integration into NPHIs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0014664
• OSTI ID: 2471299
• Journal Information: International Journal of Public Health, Journal Name: International Journal of Public Health Vol. 68; ISSN 1661-8564
• Publisher: Swiss School of Public HealthCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English