Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an ABSL-4 Laboratory: 1. Biosafety Level 4 Suit Laboratory Suite Entry and Exit Procedures
Published on: October 3, 2016
Competency gaps and training needs in infectious disease control among public health professionals: a nationwide
Yiguo Zhou1,2, Xiaona Na3,4, Wan-Xue Zhang1,5,6
1Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology and Vaccine Research Center, School of Public Health, Peking University, No. 38 Xue-Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
Background:
Infectious diseases pose significant challenges to global public health security, which necessitates robust prevention and control capabilities within national public health systems. This study aimed to assess the infectious disease control competencies of provincial and prefecture-level public health professionals in China and investigate their willingness and demand for professional training to inform future training plans.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 2023 to December 2023 among public health professionals from 15 provinces in China. The infectious disease control competency scale was utilized to evaluate professionals' competencies across four dimensions: knowledge, practical skills, leadership, and personal qualities. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses were performed.
Results:
Among 883 participants enrolled in the study, the median total competency score was 74.70 (IQR 67.97-81.00) out of 100. The most deficient areas identified were scientific research abilities (scoring rate 63.76%), knowledge of public health emergency management (65.35%), and skills in infectious disease prevention and emergency preparedness (70.15%). Higher education level (OR 1.565; 95% CI 1.137-2.153), longer work experience (OR 2.448; 95% CI 1.354-4.427), more frequent outbreak response involvement (OR 3.931; 95% CI 2.517-6.141), continued professional development through training (OR 4.100; 95% CI 2.096-8.019), and higher job satisfaction (OR 6.199; 95% CI 3.659-10.502) were all associated with enhanced competency scores. Most participants (87.5%) expressed willingness to participate in future training, with preferences for case analysis, scenario simulations, public health response to infectious diseases, research design, and report and paper writing.
Conclusions:
This nationwide survey revealed moderate infectious disease control competencies among Chinese public health professionals, with specific areas for improvement. Tailored training initiatives focusing on identified gaps and preferred topics, coupled with strategies to foster continuous professional development, are crucial for enhancing the public health workforce's capabilities.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:26Principles of Disease Surveillance