Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

Zeinab Gura Roka; Elvis Omondi Oyugi; Jane Njoki Githuku; Evalyne Kanyina; Mark Obonyo; Victor Omballa; Waqo Gufu Boru; James Ransom

doi:10.2196/18956

Impact Evaluation of the Kenya Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program: Repeated-Measures Study

JMIR Med Educ. 2021 Jan 8;7(1):e18956. doi: 10.2196/18956.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Ministry of Health, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nairobi, Kenya.
² Ministry of Health, National Malaria Program, Nairobi, Kenya.
³ Ministry of Health, Emergency Operations Centre, Directorate of Public Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁴ Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations, Subregional Office of Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
⁵ Bioreference Laboratories, Elmwood Park, NJ, United States.
⁶ Piret Partners Consulting, Washington, DC, United States.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 33416507
PMCID: PMC7822718
DOI: 10.2196/18956

Abstract

Background: In 2014, Kenya's Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) initiated a 3-month field-based frontline training, Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP-F), for local public health workers.

Objective: This study aimed to measure the effect of FETP-F on participant workplace practices regarding quality and consistency of public health data, critical interaction with public health data, and improvements in on-time reporting (OTR).

Methods: Between February and April 2017, FELTP conducted a mixed methods evaluation via online survey to examine outcomes achieved among all 215 graduates from 2014 and 2015. Data quality assessment (DQA) and data consistency assessment (DCA) scores, OTR percentages, and ratings of the training experience were the quantitative measures tracked from baseline and then at 6-month intervals up to 18 months postcompletion of the training. The qualitative component consisted of semistructured face-to-face interviews and observations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed to identify key themes and dimensions.

Results: In total, 103 (47%) graduates responded to the survey. Quantitative analyses showed that the training significantly increased the mean DQA and OTR scores but there was a nonsignificant increase in mean DCA scores. Qualitative analyses found that 68% of respondents acquired new skills, 83% applied those skills to their day-to-day work, and 91% improved work methods.

Conclusions: FETP-F improved overall data quality and OTR at the agency level but had minimal impact on data consistency between local, county, and national public health agencies. Participants reported that they acquired practical skills that improved data collation and analysis and OTR.

Keywords: Kenya; field epidemiology; training; workforce development.

©Zeinab Gura Roka, Elvis Omondi Oyugi, Jane Njoki Githuku, Evalyne Kanyina, Mark Obonyo, Victor Omballa, Waqo Gufu Boru, James Ransom. Originally published in JMIR Medical Education (http://mededu.jmir.org), 08.01.2021.