scholarly journals Public Health Surveillance Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Literature (Preprint)

10.2196/32639 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randa Saad ◽  
Mohannad A l Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Magid Al Gunaid
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Systems

Public Health Surveillance Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Literature (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randa Saad ◽  
Mohannad A l Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Magid Al Gunaid
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Link Strength

BACKGROUND The two main general categories of surveillance include indicator-based surveillance and event or case-based surveillance. However, new and novel approaches in surveillance are in a constant state of high and immediate demand to tackle unexpected health challenges in a timely manner directly, and address community health concerns. Bibliometric analysis of scientific literature on surveillance helps foster an understanding of the scientific development and thus potentially supports future development directions. OBJECTIVE To illustrate the scientific production, quantify the scholarly impact, and highlight the characteristics of publications on public health surveillance (PHS) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) over the last decade. METHODS We performed a Scopus search using keywords relating to PHS or its disciplines, cross referenced with EMR countries, from 2011-July 2021. Data were exported and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer. Quality of Journals was determined using SCImago journal rank. RESULTS We retrieved 1,987 documents, of which 97% were articles or reviews. There was an incremental increase in the number of publications (exponential growth, R2=0.80) over the last decade. Publications were mostly affiliated with Iran (N=501, 25%), United States (N=468, 24%), Pakistan (N=243, 12%), Egypt (N=224, 11%) and Saudi Arabia (N=209, 11%). However, Iran only had links with 40 other countries (total link strength 164) and the biggest collaborator from the EMR was Egypt, with 67 links (total link strength 402). Within the other EMR countries, only Morocco, Lebanon, and Jordan produced ≥79 publications in the 10-year period. Most publications (N=1,551, 78%), were affiliated with EMR universities. Most Journals were categorized as medical journals, and the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (SJR 0.442) published the most. Retrieved documents had an average of 18.4 citations/document, and an h-index of 66. The top three most cited documents were from the Global Burden of Diseases study. We found 70 high frequency terms, occurring ≥10 times in author keywords, connected in three cluster. COVID-19, SARS-COV-2 and pandemic represent the most recent 2020 cluster. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to scholarly quantify the published literature on PHS and its disciplines in the EMR. It provides an analysis of the scientific research, with evidence-based descriptions and visualizations of research output, also shedding light on the gaps in research.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Advanced Field Epidemiology Training Programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Multi-Country Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Majd Alsoukhni
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Public Health Professionals

Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are competency-based training programs aiming to strengthen the epidemiologic capacity of the public health workforce. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the advanced FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) and ascertain whether the expected objectives of the programs are met. A descriptive study was conducted based on Kirkpatrick's model for evaluating training programs. Data were collected from FETP graduates and FETP technical advisers on the practices of FETP graduates, their engagement in key areas of field epidemiology, and their perceived skills and capacity to perform such activities. A total of 166 FETP graduates responded to the online survey. Almost two-thirds of FETP graduates reported that they are often engaged in managing public health surveillance systems (n = 119, 71.7%), analyzing the surveillance data (n = 116, 69.9%), training public health professionals (n = 113, 68.1%), investigations on and response to outbreaks (n = 109, 65.7%), and managing staff and resources (n = 106, 63.9%). However, only 28.3% reported that they are often engaged in writing scientific research articles. More than two-thirds of graduates reported that the FETP helped them to perform most of the field epidemiology activities and rate their skills as good. In conclusion, the FETP graduates in the EMR were well engaged in many field epidemiology activities including managing public health surveillance systems, surveillance data analysis, training public health professionals, and investigations on and response to outbreaks. Therefore, the FETPs should continue supporting the graduates to work toward strengthening surveillance systems and investigating outbreaks and to participate in regional and global efforts as part of the Global Health Security.

scholarly journals Jordan Field Epidemiology Training Program: Critical Role in National and Regional Capacity Building (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Ibrahim Iblan ◽  
Mohammed Rasoul Tarawneh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Field Epidemiology

UNSTRUCTURED Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are 2-year training programs in applied epidemiology, established with the purpose of increasing a country’s capacity within the public health workforce to detect and respond to health threats and develop internal expertise in field epidemiology. The Jordan Ministry of Health, in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, started the Jordan FETP (J-FETP) in 1998. Since then, it has achieved a high standard of success and has been established as a model for FETPs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Here we describe the J-FETP, its role in building the epidemiologic capacity of Jordan’s public health workforce, and its activities and achievements, which have grown the program to be self-sustaining within the Jordan Ministry of Health. Since its inception, the program’s residents and graduates have assisted the country to improve its surveillance systems, including revising the mortality surveillance policy, implementing the use of electronic data reporting, investigating outbreaks at national and regional levels, contributing to noncommunicable disease research and surveillance, and responding to regional emergencies and disasters. J-FETP’s structure and systems of support from the Jordan Ministry of Health and local, regional, and international partners have contributed to the success and sustainability of the J-FETP. The J-FETP has contributed significantly to improvements in surveillance systems, control of infectious diseases, outbreak investigations, and availability of reliable morbidity and mortality data in Jordan. Moreover, the program has supported public health and epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Best practices of the J-FETP can be applied to FETPs throughout the world.

scholarly journals A participatory modelling approach for investigating the spread of COVID-19 in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region to support public health decision-making

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e005207
Author(s):  
Keyrellous Adib ◽  
Penelope A Hancock ◽  
Aysel Rahimli ◽  
Bridget Mugisa ◽  
Fayez Abdulrazeq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Participatory Modelling ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Epidemiological Modelling

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office recognised the importance of epidemiological modelling to forecast the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic to support decisions guiding the implementation of response measures. We established a modelling support team to facilitate the application of epidemiological modelling analyses in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries. Here, we present an innovative, stepwise approach to participatory modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic that engaged decision-makers and public health professionals from countries throughout all stages of the modelling process. Our approach consisted of first identifying the relevant policy questions, collecting country-specific data and interpreting model findings from a decision-maker’s perspective, as well as communicating model uncertainty. We used a simple modelling methodology that was adaptable to the shortage of epidemiological data, and the limited modelling capacity, in our region. We discuss the benefits of using models to produce rapid decision-making guidance for COVID-19 control in the WHO EMR, as well as challenges that we have experienced regarding conveying uncertainty associated with model results, synthesising and comparing results across multiple modelling approaches, and modelling fragile and conflict-affected states.

scholarly journals A participatory modelling approach for investigating the spread of COVID-19 in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region to support public health decision-making

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyrellous Adib ◽  
Penelope A. Hancock ◽  
Aysel Rahimli ◽  
Bridget Mugisa ◽  
Fayez Abdulrazeq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Participatory Modelling ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Epidemiological Modelling

AbstractEarly on in the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO EMRO) recognised the importance of epidemiological modelling to forecast the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic to support decisions guiding the implementation of response measures. We established a modelling support team to facilitate the application of epidemiological modelling analyses in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries. Here we present an innovative, stepwise approach to participatory modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic that engaged decision-makers and public health professionals from countries throughout all stages of the modelling process. Our approach consisted of first identifying the relevant policy questions, collecting country-specific data, and interpreting model findings from a decision-maker’s perspective, as well as communicating model uncertainty. We used a simple modelling methodology that was adaptable to the shortage of epidemiological data, and the limited modelling capacity, in our region. We discuss the benefits of using models to produce rapid decision-making guidance for COVID-19 control in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), as well as challenges that we have experienced regarding conveying uncertainty associated with model results, synthesizing and comparing results across multiple modelling approaches, and modelling fragile and conflict-affected states.

scholarly journals A Collaborative Initiative to Strengthen Sustainable Public Health Capacity for Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization Activities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

10.2196/14664 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e14664
Author(s):  
Magid Al Gunaid ◽  
Faris Lami ◽  
Najwa Jarour
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Global Polio Eradication Initiative ◽  
Eradicate Polio ◽  
And Control

The many challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean region put the involved countries at risk of polio transmission and affect their ability to meet progress targets in eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases. The Global Health Development (GHD) and Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) are working together on the project “Strengthening sustainable public health capacity in the Eastern Mediterranean region for polio eradication and routine immunization activities” with an overall goal of improving routine immunization, eradicating poliovirus, and controlling/eliminating or eradicating other vaccine-preventable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the project and the achievements of GHD/EMPHNET over the last 3 years (2016-2018) to build effective surveillance and immunization systems in the Eastern Mediterranean region through the development of a sustainable and competent public health system to eradicate polio and control/eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases. This project assists the targeted Eastern Mediterranean region countries to build effective surveillance and immunization systems in an effort to expand their capacities to eradicate polio and control/eliminate other vaccine-preventable diseases. The project is streamlined with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Strategic Framework for Global Immunization 2016-2020, and the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018. The project also supports the Global Health Security Agenda by focusing on efforts to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats. Project activities were designed to respond to countries’ needs and assist them in building their institutional and workforce capacity to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate activities to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunization activities. The project activities covered a set of areas including surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis and other vaccine-preventable diseases, family and community engagement, workforce capacity building, improvement of data quality, management and use of information systems, use of polio assets to control/eliminate other vaccine-preventable diseases, support of countries to develop national strategies, piloting of innovative initiatives, program evaluation and accountability, and immunization strengthening. The project adopts the Global Polio Eradication Initiative strategies for assisting countries to strengthen routine immunization services, maintain highly sensitive acute flaccid paralysis surveillance, and sustain polio eradication functions.

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