Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, Uganda
Introduction: Unrecognized Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) can lead to multiple chains of transmissions if the first caretakers are not trained and prepared. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers (HCWs) preparedness in private hospitals located in Kampala, to detect, respond and prevent EVD. Me...
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The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
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| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17642 |
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| author | Collins Ankunda Stuart Martin Kanyesigye Susan Nakubulwa Brendah Kyomuhangi Jakob Cramer Enrique Chacon-Cruz Sue Ann Costa Clemens Ralf Clemens |
| author_facet | Collins Ankunda Stuart Martin Kanyesigye Susan Nakubulwa Brendah Kyomuhangi Jakob Cramer Enrique Chacon-Cruz Sue Ann Costa Clemens Ralf Clemens |
| author_sort | Collins Ankunda |
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Introduction: Unrecognized Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) can lead to multiple chains of transmissions if the first caretakers are not trained and prepared. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers (HCWs) preparedness in private hospitals located in Kampala, to detect, respond and prevent EVD.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among HCWs in direct clinical care provision in four private hospitals, and in one Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) using a self-administered questionnaire from March to June 2020.
Results: 222 HCWs agreed to participate aged from 19 to 64 years and with 6 months to 38 years of practice where most were nurses (44%). 3/5 hospitals did not have written protocols on EVD case management, and only one (ETU) had an exclusive emergency team. 59% were not sure whether contact tracing was taking place. Private hospitals were not included in EVD trainings organized by the Ministry of Health (MoH). In addition, HCWs in private hospitals were not empowered by the MoH to take part in EVD case management. Despite these shortcomings, only 66% of HCWs showed an interest to be immunized. Knowledge about potential Ebola vaccines was generally poor.
Conclusions: In Kampala, Uganda, establishment of a more comprehensive preparedness and response strategy for EVD outbreaks is imperative for HCWs in private facilities, including a wide vaccination educational program on Ebola vaccination. The findings from this study if addressed will likely improve the preparedness and management of future Ebola outbreaks in Uganda.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7144d86575f4c2f8c8f402037e08dc6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1972-2680 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| spelling | doaj-art-d7144d86575f4c2f8c8f402037e08dc62025-08-20T03:52:42ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802024-04-01180410.3855/jidc.17642Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, UgandaCollins Ankunda0Stuart Martin Kanyesigye1Susan Nakubulwa2Brendah Kyomuhangi3Jakob Cramer4Enrique Chacon-Cruz5Sue Ann Costa Clemens6Ralf Clemens7Mildmay Research Centre Uganda, Entebbe Rd, Naziba Hill, Kampala, UgandaDivencha Systems, Nakawa, Kampala, UgandaMildmay Research Centre Uganda, Entebbe Rd, Naziba Hill, Kampala, UgandaLe Memorial Medical Services, Kigo Rd, Kampala, UgandaCoalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI), London, United KingdomInstitute for Global Health, University of Siena, ItalyInstitute for Global Health, University of Siena, ItalyInternational Vaccine Institute (IVI), Seoul, Republic of Korea Introduction: Unrecognized Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) can lead to multiple chains of transmissions if the first caretakers are not trained and prepared. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers (HCWs) preparedness in private hospitals located in Kampala, to detect, respond and prevent EVD. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among HCWs in direct clinical care provision in four private hospitals, and in one Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) using a self-administered questionnaire from March to June 2020. Results: 222 HCWs agreed to participate aged from 19 to 64 years and with 6 months to 38 years of practice where most were nurses (44%). 3/5 hospitals did not have written protocols on EVD case management, and only one (ETU) had an exclusive emergency team. 59% were not sure whether contact tracing was taking place. Private hospitals were not included in EVD trainings organized by the Ministry of Health (MoH). In addition, HCWs in private hospitals were not empowered by the MoH to take part in EVD case management. Despite these shortcomings, only 66% of HCWs showed an interest to be immunized. Knowledge about potential Ebola vaccines was generally poor. Conclusions: In Kampala, Uganda, establishment of a more comprehensive preparedness and response strategy for EVD outbreaks is imperative for HCWs in private facilities, including a wide vaccination educational program on Ebola vaccination. The findings from this study if addressed will likely improve the preparedness and management of future Ebola outbreaks in Uganda. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17642Ebola virus diseaseepidemic preparednessebola vaccinehealthcare workers |
| spellingShingle | Collins Ankunda Stuart Martin Kanyesigye Susan Nakubulwa Brendah Kyomuhangi Jakob Cramer Enrique Chacon-Cruz Sue Ann Costa Clemens Ralf Clemens Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, Uganda Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Ebola virus disease epidemic preparedness ebola vaccine healthcare workers |
| title | Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, Uganda |
| title_full | Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, Uganda |
| title_short | Assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics: A case of Ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in Kampala, Uganda |
| title_sort | assessment of health care workers preparedness to epidemics a case of ebola virus disease preparedness in private hospitals in kampala uganda |
| topic | Ebola virus disease epidemic preparedness ebola vaccine healthcare workers |
| url | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17642 |
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