Leveraging human resources for outbreak analysis: lessons from an international collaboration to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response

Article Article scientifique Article Leveraging human resources for outbreak analysis: lessons from an international collaboration to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response eng 2022-05-31 2022-05-31 author Botero Mesa Sara 0000-0002-2943-3120 894905 author Codeco Coelho Flavio 0000-0003-3868-4391 947453 author Nwosu Kenechukwu 896903 author Wicht Bertil author Venkatasubramanian Akarsh 874418 author Wagner Olena 875235 author Valera Camille Beatrice Gaza 920255 author Nguimbis Benedict author Câmara Daniel author Reis Izabel author Bianchi Lucas author Mahdiani Morteza author Onsimbie Papy Ansobi author Diallo Papa Amadou Niang author Jacques Léa 818577 author Muloliwa Artur Manuel author Bougma Moussa author Mukavhi Leckson author Kaneria Adit author Peruvemba Ram author Gupta Ajay author Triulzi Isotta 931383 author James Ananthu author Carrara Verena Ilona 0000-0002-2758-0872 32911 author Ngambi Wingston author Habibi Babadi Zahra 919516 author Adhanom Michael Tedros 931054 author Rodriguez Velásquez Sabina 923664 author Sestito Paolo 921693 author Kousi Timokleia Maria 924170 author Biru Loza Estifanos 949337 author Vivacqua Daniela author Dalal Jyoti author Mian Anatole author Roelens Maroussia 828632 author Orel Erol 531628 author Hofer Cristina Barroso author Wangara Fatihiyya 932684 author Mboussou Franck author Mlanda Tamayi 0000-0001-9767-2898 author Bukhari Arish author Lee Theresa Min-Hyung author Ngom Roland author Stoll Beat 114845 author Chimbetete Cleophas 873686 author Abbate Jessica author Impouma Benido 912959 author Keiser Olivia 0000-0001-8191-2789 873427 1073 10.1186/s12889-022-13327-1 35641949 1471-2458 PMC9152815 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13327-1 Emerging infectious diseases are a growing threat in sub-Saharan African countries, but the human and technical capacity to quickly respond to outbreaks remains limited. Here, we describe the experience and lessons learned from a joint project with the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response.In June 2020, WHO AFRO contracted a number of consultants to reinforce the COVID-19 response in member states by providing actionable epidemiological analysis. Given the urgency of the situation and the magnitude of work required, we recruited a worldwide network of field experts, academics and students in the areas of public health, data science and social science to support the effort. Most analyses were performed on a merged line list of COVID-19 cases using a reverse engineering model (line listing built using data extracted from national situation reports shared by countries with the Regional Office for Africa as per the IHR (2005) obligations). The data analysis platform The Renku Project ( https://renkulab.io ) provided secure data storage and permitted collaborative coding.Over a period of 6 months, 63 contributors from 32 nations (including 17 African countries) participated in the project. A total of 45 in-depth country-specific epidemiological reports and data quality reports were prepared for 28 countries. Spatial transmission and mortality risk indices were developed for 23 countries. Text and video-based training modules were developed to integrate and mentor new members. The team also began to develop EpiGraph Hub, a web application that automates the generation of reports similar to those we created, and includes more advanced data analyses features (e.g. mathematical models, geospatial analyses) to deliver real-time, actionable results to decision-makers.Within a short period, we implemented a global collaborative approach to health data management and analyses to advance national responses to health emergencies and outbreaks. The interdisciplinary team, the hands-on training and mentoring, and the participation of local researchers were key to the success of this initiative. COVID-19 Data management Health emergency Outbreak Pandemic Sub-Saharan Africa Africa South of the Sahara / epidemiology COVID-19 / epidemiology Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control Humans Public Health Workforce Dewey 613 World Health Organization 001 International 66 Institut de santé globale 22A1 false 1246 Maladies infectieuses et modèles mathématiques 988 BMC public health 22 1 38e7b13b-a13d-453a-a0d6-e2209ff09a43 Article (Published version) Public Article-scientifique-from-europePmc.pdf 2052684 application/pdf CC BY 4752c859-f4fa-4ba1-a70c-09e1484f27b0 Appendix Public 12889_2022_13327_MOESM1_ESM.pdf 3891222 application/pdf 6851a1a1-9898-458c-af9a-cab13bd78695 Appendix Public 12889_2022_13327_MOESM2_ESM.pdf 81836 application/pdf ddbbf2ae-25b8-4bb5-9bea-d59aac8cd01e Appendix Public 12889_2022_13327_MOESM3_ESM.pdf 547427 application/pdf openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de santé et médecine communautaires / Institut de santé globale

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