We are pleased to announce the successful graduation of 12 senior managers of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Liberia on December 6, 2023. This achievement is the result of a collaborative effort between AFENET Liberia, the EPI Unit of the Ministry of Health Liberia, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Supported by the USCDC-AFENET CoAg, the Liberia-FETP cohort for EPI senior managers underwent a specialized training program tailored to enhance their surveillance and data management skills. The primary focus of the training was to elevate proficiency among the participants in data management, analysis, reporting, and applying evidence-based policies. We thank the US CDC for their generous funding of this vital initiative.
Throughout the training, participants engaged in comprehensive classroom lessons covering a range of topics such as the public health cycle, public health surveillance, VPD outbreak/case investigation, surveillance systems, Epi studies, scientific communication, Ms. Excel and Word, questionnaire development, Epi info, data quality audit (DQA), and problem analysis.
Fieldwork was an integral part of the program, where participants conducted a DQA with a SWOT analysis. This process led to the identification and in-depth analysis of problems using Fishbone analysis. Secondary data analysis techniques were also applied, emphasizing descriptive data summarization. The participants delved into Outbreak Investigation Report reviews, gaining insights into the expectations of outbreak reports.
As a culmination of their efforts, the group conducted a project on “Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Vaccination among caregivers of <2 years old in Montserrado County” and “Evaluation of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Surveillance system, Liberia.”
This graduation marks a significant step toward strengthening immunization programs in Liberia. The newly equipped managers are now better positioned to contribute to enhancing public health through informed decision-making and evidence-based policies. We commend the participants’ dedication and express our appreciation to all partners who contributed to the success of this impactful initiative.
