Annet Martha NankyaLS (KU), MSc MLS (MUK) & Fellowship in Public Health Laboratory Leadership (UNIPH/MOH) Host Site: Uganda Virus Research Institute
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ABOUT THE FELLOWAnnet Martha Nankya is now a trained laboratory leader and a medical laboratory specialist. She holds a Master’s degree in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences and Management from Makerere University and a Bachelors in Laboratory Sciences from Kyambogo University. Her professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to the One Health approach to public health, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This holistic perspective has guided my work throughout the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program
During the fellowship, she was privileged to be hosted at the Arbovirology Department at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), an institution where she is also employed as a laboratory manager. The UVRI is an institution renowned for its cutting-edge research into human infections and diseases of viral origin. The institute not only generates critical knowledge but also provides expert advice to stakeholders, fosters partnerships for improved health outcomes, and serves as a center for training and education. Her time at UVRI offered her invaluable exposure to the complexities of arbovirus research, surveillance,viral disease dynamics. The comprehensive in-service training she received through the fellowship sharpened her skills in leadership, outbreak investigation, and data analysis. The fellowship equipped her with knowledge and practical skills to engage with diverse stakeholders and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. By embracing the One Health approach, she has developed a deeper appreciation for the critical intersections between human, animal, and environmental health. This perspective has enabled her to design and implement strategies that address public health threats holistically, ensuring sustainable health outcomes. Overall, her time at UVRI as a fellow has been transformative, preparing her to take on leadership roles in laboratory science and public health, with a focus on integrating research, policy, and practice to improve health outcomes at all levels Achievements at the Host Site– Managed data entry and analysis in the EPI database, ensuring weekly reporting to the Ministry of Health, WHO, and other key stakeholders. – Trained new laboratory staff to enhance technical capacity and maintain high standards of laboratory operations. – Facilitated training sessions in Cameroon on Yellow Fever confirmatory testing using the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). – Participated in risk assessment and mitigation activities to strengthen laboratory and public health preparedness. – Contributed to drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the arbovirology laboratory to standardize and streamline workflows. – Assisted in data collection for the National Immunization Coverage Survey, contributing to nationwide health planning and evaluation. Fellowship program specific achievements– Led one outbreak laboratory investigation: Rift Valley Fever in Mbarara District, 2023 – Participated in additional three outbreak investigations ▪ Anthrax in Ibanda District, 2023 ▪ Anthrax in Kyotera District, 2023 ▪ Rift Valley fever in Nakaseke District, 2023 – Published five articles in New Vision ▪ Increase laboratory testing to eliminate Yellow Fever ▪ Prioritize vaccination to fasten control and prevention measures against antimicrobial resistance ▪ Arbovirus disease: its effective management depends on timely detection ▪ Laboratory leadership: a cornerstone to strong health systems ▪ Mosquitoes spread Arboviruses – Co-authored one article published in the Uganda Public Health Bulletin – Served as an editorial team member for the Uganda Public Health Bulletin, January March, 2024 period – Authored three manuscripts, two as lead author and one as co-author. These are undergoing institution clearance. – Presented her work at three conferences (two international and one national). ▪ 9th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) in Kigali, Rwanda, 2023. ▪ 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa, Lusaka, Zambia, 2023. ▪ 9th National Field Epidemiology Conference, Kampala, Uganda, 2023. – Conducted a quality improvement project to improve Yellow Fever testing turnaround time in Uganda – Conducted a descriptive analysis of seasonal Influenza positivity rates, types and subtypes in Uganda, 2019-2023 – Conducted a capstone project to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care workers towards Arboviruses Summary of Epidemiological Study:Title: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among selected healthcare workers towards Arbovirus diagnosis Background: The growing threat and recent outbreaks of arbovirus infections underscore the importance of robust surveillance systems capable of detecting, preventing, and responding to these epidemics. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a pivotal role in the surveillance and control of infectious diseases with epidemic potential. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of HCWs regarding arboviruses in public health facilities in Masaka and Sembabule districts, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2023 across public health facilities in Masaka and Sembabule districts. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics of HCWs using a structured questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). The questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. Scores for knowledge, attitude, and perception were computed, and the Decision Tree and Conditional Inference Tree Model 2 were utilized to identify factors influencing these outcomes. Results: The study included 308 HCWs, comprising 23 from a regional referral hospital, 85 from Health Center IVs, and 200 from Health Center IIIs. Among the participants, 86% had never received any information about arboviruses. Only 1% demonstrated good knowledge, while 97% exhibited negative attitudes towards arboviruses. Approximately 50% had a moderate perception, and 13% displayed a good perception. Analysis revealed significant associations between the KAP of respondents and their professional experience as well as age. Conclusion: This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive training programs to enhance HCWs’ capacity for early detection of arbovirus cases within healthcare facilities. It also highlights the importance of conducting similarstudies across all healthcare facilities in Uganda to gain a more comprehensive understanding of HCWs’ KAP toward arboviruses. Key lessons learnt during the fellowship
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