title: Ebola a reality of modern Public Health; need for Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Training for Health Workers and other multidisciplinary teams: a case for Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  West Africa is experiencing the largest ever reported Ebola outbreak. Over 20,000 people have been infected of which about 9000 have died. It is possible that lack of community understanding of the epidemic and lack of institutional memory and inexperienced health workers could have led to the rapid spread of the disease. In this paper, we share Uganda's experiences on how the capacity of health workers and other multidisciplinary teams can be improved in preparing and responding to Ebola outbreaks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Makerere University School of Public Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), trained health care workers and other multidisciplinary teams from six border districts of Uganda so as to increase their alertness and response capabilities towards Ebola. We used participatory training methods to impart knowledge and skills and guided participants to develop district epidemic response plans. Communities were sensitized about Ebola through mass media, IEC materials, and infection control and prevention materials were distributed in districts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We trained 210 health workers and 120 other multidisciplinary team members on Ebola surveillance, preparedness and response. Evaluation results demonstrated a gain in knowledge and skills. Communities were sensitized about Ebola and Districts received person protective equipments and items for infection prevention. Epidemic Preparedness and Response plans were also developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training of multidisciplinary teams improves the country's preparedness, alertness and response capabilities in controlling Ebola. West African countries experiencing Ebola outbreaks could draw lessons from the Uganda experience to contain the outbreak.
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Bazeyo
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Bagonza
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Halage
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: Gildo
authors: G
authors: Okure
authors: Ministry of Health.
authors: Malimbo
authors: M
authors: Mugagga
authors: Ministry of Health.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Musoke
authors: District Health Office, Kabarole District Local Government.
authors: Mathias
authors: M
authors: Tumwebaze
authors: Medical Division, Uganda People's Defence Forces.
authors: Suzan
authors: S
authors: Tusiime
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Ssendagire
authors: Ministry of Health.
authors: Immaculate
authors: I
authors: Nabukenya
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Pande
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Aanyu
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Etajak
authors: School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health sciences.
authors: Elizeus
authors: E
authors: Rutebemberwa
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011634:Public Health; D015980:Public Health Practice; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Ebola; emergency; preparedness; response; surveillance; training