PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
A continent-wide Africa Task Force for Coronavirus with its six technical working groups was formed to prepare adequately and respond to the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Africa. This research in practice article aimed to describe how the infection prevention and control (IPC) technical working group (TWG) supported Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in preparedness and response to COVID-19 on the continent. To effectively address the multifaceted IPC TWG mandate of organizing training and implementing rigorous IPC measures at healthcare service delivery points, the working group was sub-divided into four sub-groups-Guidelines, Training, Research, and Logistics. The action framework was used to describe the experiences of each subgroup. The guidelines subgroup developed 14 guidance documents and two advisories; all of which were published in English. In addition, five of these documents were translated and published in Arabic, while three others were translated and published in French and Portuguese. Challenges faced in the guidelines subgroup included the primary development of the Africa CDC website in English, and the need to revise previously issued guidelines. The training subgroup engaged the Infection Control Africa Network as technical experts to carry out in-person training of IPC focal persons and port health personnel across the African continent. Challenges faced included the difficulty in conducting face-to-face IPC training and onsite technical support due to the lockdown. The research subgroup developed an interactive COVID-19 Research Tracker on the Africa CDC website and conducted a context-based operation and implementation research. The lack of understanding of Africa CDC\'s capacity to lead her own research was the major challenge faced by the research subgroup. The logistics subgroup assisted African Union (AU) member states to identify their IPC supply needs through capacity building for IPC quantification. A notable challenge faced by the logistics subgroup was the initial lack of experts on IPC logistics and quantifications, which was later addressed by the recruitment of professionals. In conclusion, IPC cannot be built overnight nor can it be promoted abruptly during outbreaks of diseases. Thus, the Africa CDC should build strong national IPC programmes and support such programmes with trained and competent professionals.
摘要：
成立了一个全大陆的非洲冠状病毒工作队及其六个技术工作组，以充分准备并应对非洲的新型冠状病毒病（COVID-19）爆发。这篇实践研究文章旨在描述感染预防和控制（IPC）技术工作组（TWG）如何支持非洲疾病控制和预防中心（非洲CDC）准备和应对非洲大陆的COVID-19。为了有效解决在医疗保健服务提供点组织培训和实施严格的IPC措施的多方面IPCTWG任务，工作组被细分为四个分组-准则，培训,Research,和物流。行动框架用于描述每个小组的经验。该准则分组制定了14份指导文件和两份咨询意见；所有这些都以英文出版。此外,其中五份文件是用阿拉伯文翻译出版的，而另外三个则以法语和葡萄牙语翻译和出版。指南分组面临的挑战包括非洲疾病预防控制中心网站的英文初步开发，以及需要修改以前发布的指南。培训分组聘请感染控制非洲网络作为技术专家，对整个非洲大陆的IPC联络人和港口卫生人员进行现场培训。面临的挑战包括由于封锁而难以进行面对面的IPC培训和现场技术支持。该研究小组在非洲疾病预防控制中心网站上开发了交互式COVID-19研究追踪器，并进行了基于上下文的操作和实施研究。对非洲疾病预防控制中心领导自己研究的能力缺乏了解是研究小组面临的主要挑战。物流分组通过IPC量化能力建设，协助非洲联盟（AU）成员国确定其IPC供应需求。物流分组面临的一个显著挑战是最初缺乏IPC物流和量化方面的专家，后来通过招聘专业人员来解决。总之,IPC不能在一夜之间建立，也不能在疾病爆发期间突然推广。因此，非洲疾病预防控制中心应建立强大的国家IPC计划，并与训练有素和称职的专业人员一起支持此类计划。
