Core competency gaps among Somalia's disease surveillance workforce: a cross-sectional study

sensitive disease surveillance is essential for global health security, yet fragile, conflict-affected settings like Somalia face critical human resource and capacity challenges. District and regional surveillance officers are frontline personnel whose competencies in epidemiology, outbreak investigation, and data analysis directly influence early detection, rapid response, and containment of public health threats.

a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 1^st to 30^th April 2025 among all 90 active surveillance officers (72 District Surveillance Officers, 18 Regional Surveillance Officers) across Somalia's Federal Member States. A structured, self-administered questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics, training history (IDSR, FETP, outbreak investigation, rapid response, scientific reporting), and self-reported competencies in core surveillance domains.

of 90 invited officers, 68 completed the survey (response rate 75.6%). Participants were predominantly male (86.8%) and aged 20-39 years (95.6%), with 95.6% holding bachelor's or master's degrees. IDSR training coverage was high (96.6%), yet only 10.3% of district officers participated in FETP. Outbreak investigation experience was highest for cholera (54.4%) and measles (47.1%), but low (<20%) for AFP, malaria, diphtheria, and respiratory infections. Technical skills in Excel were widespread (≥75%), whereas GIS (25%) and Power BI (<5%) proficiency were limited. Geographic distribution was uneven, with 27.9% of officers based in Banadir and underrepresentation in peripheral regions.

critical gaps in advanced epidemiological skills, specialized outbreak experience, and workforce equity among Somali surveillance officers undermine national disease detection and response. Prioritizing surveillance officers on FETP, targeted refresher training, technical upskilling in GIS and data visualization, and motivation are recommended.