Awareness and Preparedness of Field Epidemiology Training Program Graduates to Respond to COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is a 2-year training program in applied epidemiology. FETP graduates have contributed significantly to improvements in surveillance systems, control of infectious diseases, and outbreak investigations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Objective Considering the instrumental roles of FETP graduates during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, this study aimed to assess their awareness and preparedness to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in three EMR countries. Methods An online survey was sent to FETP graduates in the EMR in March 2020. The FETP graduates were contacted by email and requested to fill out an online survey. Sufficient number of responses were received from only three countries—Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen. A few responses were received from other countries, and therefore, they were excluded from the analysis. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of the epidemiology of COVID-19, and preparedness to respond to COVID-19. Results This study included a total of 57 FETP graduates (20 from Jordan, 13 from Sudan, and 24 from Yemen). A total of 31 (54%) graduates had attended training on COVID-19, 29 (51%) were members of a rapid response team against COVID-19, and 54 (95%) had previous experience in response to disease outbreaks or health emergencies. The vast majority were aware of the main symptoms, mode of transmission, high-risk groups, and how to use personal protective equipment. A total of 46 (81%) respondents considered themselves well prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak, and 40 (70%) reported that they currently have a role in supporting the country’s efforts in the management of COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusions The FETP graduates in Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen were fully aware of the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the safety measures required, and they are well positioned to investigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they should be properly and efficiently utilized by the Ministries of Health to investigate and respond to the current COVID-19 crisis where the needs are vastly growing and access to outside experts is becoming limited.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among Birzeit University students: a cross-sectional study

“…We found our results encouraging, since good hygiene practices, behavioral commitment, and social distancing aid in decreasing the transmission rate of COVID-19. These results are comparable with a study performed in China, where the vast majority of the participants held an optimistic attitude with regard to the COVID-19 epidemic (Zhong et al 2020), and with other studies, where the participants revealed generally adequate positive practices with regard to the COVID-19 disease (Truong et al 2019;Khan et al 2020;Al Nsour et al 2020).…”

Psychological effect of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals of Yemen and coping strategies

“…our nding showed no difference in the anxiety of HCPs in working areas, which also contrasts with the previous studies in China that had revealed almost twice the risk of anxiety in different working areas [27]. Some studies have compared the mental disorders experienced by HCPs in areas where the pandemic was widely experienced compared to other regions.…”

“…This nding contrasts with the previous result of Yemen where a majority of the respondents had never attended such kind of training [26]. Such nding possibly highlights the need to direct more attention toward developing educational courses and programmers related to COVID-19 [27]. Regarding the difference in depression with respect to age, experience, and working areas; our result did not reveal any signi cance, meanwhile, a signi cant statistical difference of depression score was reported in occupation-wise comparison between physician versus nurse (p= 0.017).…”

“…Some studies have compared the mental disorders experienced by HCPs in areas where the pandemic was widely experienced compared to other regions. Anxiety, fear, and depression were much higher in HCPs in those areas because the HCPs working there are always more susceptible to infection [27].…”

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among Birzeit University students: A cross-sectional study

“…These results are comparable with a study performed in China, where the vast majority of the participants held an optimistic attitude towards the COVID-19 epidemic (Zhong et al 2020), and with other studies, where the participants revealed generally adequate positive practices towards the COVID-19 disease ([CSL STYLE ERROR: reference with no printed form. ]; MQ et al Al Nsour et al 2020).…”