Field Epidemiology and Public Health Research Priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Delphi Technique

Bibliographic Data

ID22069588
AuthorsMohannad Al Nsour (0000-0003-1212-1611, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network, corresponding author), Tala Chahien (Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network), Yousef Khader (0000-0002-7830-6857, Jordan University of Science and Technology), Mirwais Amiri (0000-0002-5842-6739, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network), Hana Taha (0000-0001-8710-8249, Hashemite University)
Year2021
Volume9
Pages690570-690570
Publication date2021-12-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.690570
PMID34926363
OpenAlexW4200304892
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited19

Research is essential for evidence-based decision making. This study aimed to identify research priorities in the areas of field epidemiology and public health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) from the perspectives of public health professionals. A Delphi technique, using online survey, was employed to reach 168 public health professionals who have experience in the EMR countries. The study took place between November 2019 and January 2020. Consensus on the research priorities was reached after two-round online questionnaires. A list of top 10 field epidemiology and public health research priorities in the EMR was developed. Of those priorities, four fell under health in emergency, war and armed conflict, two under communicable diseases, two under immunization, one under digital health, and one under sexual, reproductive, and adolescent health. Availability, adequacy, and quality of health services in crisis settings were scored as a top priority (mean = 4.4, rank 1), followed by use of technology to improve the collection, documentation, and analysis of health data (mean = 4.28, rank 2), and capacity of countries in the region to respond to emergencies (mean = 4.25, rank 3). This study was conducted prior to COVID-19 pandemic and, thus, it did not capture COVID-19 research as a priority area. Nevertheless, identified priorities under communicable diseases including outbreak investigation of infectious diseases, epidemics and challenges related to communicable diseases in the EMR were still notable. In conclusion, the field epidemiology and public health research priorities identified in this study through a systematic inclusive process could be useful to make informed decisions and gear the research efforts to improve the health of people in the EMR

Communicable disease · Delphi method · Environmental health · Population · Public health · Public health surveillance · Reproductive health · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Delphi Technique in Research · Global Health Workforce Issues · Medicine · Nursing · Epidemiology