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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Healthcare workers’ experiences regarding scaling up of training on integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) in Uganda, 2016: cross sectional qualitative study

Authors: Lydia Nakiire, Ben Masiira, Christine Kihembo, Edson Katushabe, Nasan Natseri, Immaculate Nabukenya, Innocent Komakech, Issa Makumbi, Okot Charles, Francis Adatu, Miriam Nanyunja, Peter Nsubuga, Solomon Fisseha Woldetsadik, Patrick Tusiime, Ali Ahmed Yahaya, Ibrahima Socé Fall, Alemu Wondimagegnehu

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy was adopted as the framework for implementation of International Health Regulation (2005) in the African region of World Health Organisation (WHO AFRO). While earlier studies documented gains in performance of core IDSR functions, Uganda still faces challenges due to infectious diseases. IDSR revitalisation programme aimed to improve prevention, early detection, and prompt response to disease outbreaks. However, little is known about health worker’s perception of the revitalised IDSR training.

Methods

We conducted focus group discussions of health workers who were trained between 2015 and 2016. Discussions on benefits, challenges and possible solutions for improvement of IDSR training were recorded, transcribed, translated and coded using grounded theory.

Results

In total, 22/26 FGDs were conducted. Participants cited improved completeness and timeliness of reporting, case detection and data analysis and better response to disease outbreaks as key achievements after the training. Programme challenges included an inadequate number of trained staff, funding, irregular supervision, high turnover of trained health workers, and lack of key logistics. Suggestions to improve IDSR included pre-service and community training, mentorship, regular supervision and improving funding at the district level.

Conclusion

Health workers perceived that scaling up revitalized IDSR training in Uganda improved public health surveillance. However, they acknowledge encountering challenges that hinder their performance after the training. Ministry of Health should have a mentorship plan, integrate IDSR training in pre-service curricula and advocate for funding IDSR activities to address some of the gaps highlighted in this study.
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Metadata
Title
Healthcare workers’ experiences regarding scaling up of training on integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) in Uganda, 2016: cross sectional qualitative study
Authors
Lydia Nakiire
Ben Masiira
Christine Kihembo
Edson Katushabe
Nasan Natseri
Immaculate Nabukenya
Innocent Komakech
Issa Makumbi
Okot Charles
Francis Adatu
Miriam Nanyunja
Peter Nsubuga
Solomon Fisseha Woldetsadik
Patrick Tusiime
Ali Ahmed Yahaya
Ibrahima Socé Fall
Alemu Wondimagegnehu
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-3923-6

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