Qatar Journal of Public Health - الأعداد السابقة

Background Communicable disease surveillance in Qatar was expanded and improved to adapt to the demanding requirements during the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Qatar 2022™. This article documents Qatar’s surveillance enhancements to support future mass-gathering preparedness strategies.

Methods The notification enhancement project (NEP) and the mass gathering – early warning, alert, and response system (MG-EWARS) project were executed to intensify communicable disease surveillance. Global public-health intelligence was monitored using Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS). A unified command oversaw all surveillance activities, assessed risks, and made decisions.

Results The surveillance system detected and responded to public health threats effectively. The NEP increased disease notifications from healthcare workers by 214%. The EIOS screened ~300,000 articles, identifying three major health events. The MG-EWARS Cell provided daily situational analysis to stakeholders, including insights from indicator-based, event-based, and sentinel-syndromic surveillance.

Conclusion The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar successfully implemented novel projects and activities to enhance surveillance of infectious diseases during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Early and research-driven planning, use of the latest technology, appropriate training programs, and prudent allocation of resources were the key strategies employed.

Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is endemic in Balochistan, caused by the Bunyaviridae family’s tick-borne virus (Nairovirus). The CCHF virus leads to severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks with a fatality rate of 10–40%. This study aims to describe the epidemiological trend of CCHF in Balochistan and provide recommendations for controlling current and future outbreaks.

Methods A descriptive approach was adopted for data analysis, utilizing the standard case definition of the Vector-Borne Diseases (VBD) program.

“Any person of any age and gender residing in Balochistan from 2000 until August 10, 2021, presenting with the acute onset of illness, featuring a high-grade fever (38.5°C) persisting for more than 3 days but less than 10 days. Individuals should also exhibit any two of the following symptoms: hemorrhagic or purpuric rash, nosebleed, blood in vomit/sputum/stool, or other hemorrhagic symptoms. Moreover, there should be no known predisposing factors for hemorrhagic manifestations, and individuals must have had contact with a confirmed patient or engaged in handling animals and raw animal products.”

The study covered cases identified from 2000 to August 10, 2021, and the descriptive study was conducted at the Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (PDSRU) in Quetta. Frequencies were calculated, and Excel 2016 was used to generate tables and graphs.

Results Based on the case definition, 1418 laboratory-confirmed cases of CCHF were identified out of 2542 reported cases from 2000 to August 10, 2021. Most cases (89%, n = 1262) were found to be males. The case fatality rate increased from 5% to 13% over the last decade. The highest number of CCHF cases occurred in 2017 (n = 172), followed by 2005 (n = 108) and 2004 (n = 107). Direct animal contact was reported in 61% of cases, with 22% being butchers and farmers each. CCHF poses a significant public health issue in Balochistan.

Conclusion This study provides a detailed overview of CCHF in Balochistan over the last 21 years, recommending the declaration of CCHF as a public health emergency. Establishing a comprehensive tick surveillance system, ecological studies, and health education sessions in collaboration with the livestock department is crucial to prevent future outbreaks.

Objective: This study explores the adaptation of radiologists at Sidra Medicine, Qatar, to the home-based picture archiving and communication system (HPACS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study used a phenomenological methodology to delve into the experiences of radiologists using HPACS, which emerged as a crucial tool for remote radiology practice during the pandemic. It highlights the perceived benefits, barriers, and challenges of using HPACS, and emphasizes its role in ensuring continuity of patient care and diagnostics while adhering to safety protocols. Results: The study reveals how HPACS facilitated work efficiency and safety, and also presented challenges such as workspace limitations and technical issues. The findings suggest a transformative impact of HPACS on the field of radiology, and indicate a future marked by increasingly digital and decentralized practices. Conclusion: This research contributes to understanding the adaptation of healthcare professionals to remote work technologies and provides insights for improving remote radiology systems and preparing for future crises.

Background: The Primary Health Care Corporation in Qatar uses continuing professional development (CPD) to improve the knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals (HCPs). Due to COVID-19, CPD delivery has shifted from in-person to e-learning. While the need to provide CPD is evident, there is a lack of understanding of how HCPs access and use e-learning and how this learning influences the organizational outcomes in primary care settings. Aim: The aim of this review was to explore (a) the facilitators and barriers to accessing and using e-learning and (b) the impact of e-learning on HCPs’ learning, their practices, and organizational outcomes. Methodology: Primary research publications between 2013 and 2022 were obtained from the CINAHL, MEDLINE OVID, and EBSCO databases. A total of 39 articles were included in this integrative review, which was guided by Whittemore and Knafl's framework. The MMAT was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Kirkpatrick's model guided data analysis. Findings: The reaction level is influenced by the characteristics of e-learning content and delivery as well as the motivation of individuals. The learning level is influenced by the level of awareness, knowledge, skills, confidence, attitudes, and beliefs of HCPs. The behavior level is associated with intentions to change or apply in practice as well as implications for practice. The organizational impact is characterized by the quality of patient care. Conclusion: Understanding the potential facilitators and barriers to accessing and using e-learning is crucial when designing and implementing CPD to improve the quality of e-learning and therefore the quality of patient care.