Mozambique field epidemiology and laboratory training program: a pathway for strengthening human resources in applied epidemiology.

Introduction: In the last decades, Mozambique has been undergoing demographic, epidemiological, economic and social transitions, which have all had a notable impact on the National Health System. New challenges have emerged, causing a need to expand the preparation and response to emerging disease threats and public health emergencies.

Methods: We describe the structure and function of the Mozambique Field Epidemiology Training Program (MZ-FELTP) and the main outputs achieved during the first 6 years of program implementation (consisting of 3 cohorts).

An epidemic of spastic paraparesis of unknown aetiology in Northern Mozambique.

This case study is based on a real-life outbreak investigation undertaken in Mozambique in 1981. This case study describes and promotes one particular approach to unknown disease outbreak investigation. Investigational procedures, however, may vary depending on location and outbreak.

Analysis of trauma admission data at an urban hospital in Maputo, Mozambique.

Background: Trauma is a major public health concern. Worldwide, injuries resulted in 4.8 million deaths in 2013, an increase of 11 % since 1990.

Training laypersons and hospital personnel in basic resuscitation techniques: an approach to impact the global trauma burden in Mozambique.

Introduction: Over half of prehospital deaths in low-income countries are the result of airway compromise, respiratory failure, or uncontrolled hemorrhage; all three conditions can be addressed using simple first-aid measures. For both hospital personnel and laypersons, a basic trauma resuscitation training in modified ABCD (airway, breathing, circulation, disability) techniques can be easily learned and applied to increase the number of first responders in Mozambique, a resource-challenged country.

Methods: A trauma training session was administered to 100 people in Mozambique: half were hospital personnel from 7 district medical centers and the other half were selected laypersons.

Cholera epidemiology in Mozambique using national surveillance data.

Background: Mozambique has experienced cholera for several decades. This study was undertaken to evaluate epidemiologic patterns to assist in guiding public health interventions.

Methods: We evaluated district-level Ministry of Health data for 123 consecutive weeks starting 1 January 2009.