Evaluation of the National Influenza Epidemic Preparedness Plan in Ismailia City Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centers

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: There are many bioterrorism threats clinical cases used biological agent such as virus and bacteria. Viruses that are potentially used in bioterrorism act are influenza viruses.The emergence of a new influenza A subtype among humans can cause a worldwide outbreak, known as a pandemic, leading to larger than usual numbers of deaths as well as societal disruption Influenza can be epidemics and causes mass casualty. For this reason, health care settings must have a good preparedness plan for influenza epidemics.Aim:To estimate the current state of influenza preparedness level in hospitals and primary health care centers. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted at three hospitals and four primary health care centers in Ismailia city. Data collection tools included a questionnaire for assessment of preparedness level in hospitals and a checklist for assessment of primary health care centers preparedness level. Results: The results of this study showed thatthe overall preparedness level in the studied hospitals was moderate (67%). The weakest domain in hospital preparedness was health personnel and supplies (56%) while the weakest area of preparedness among primary health centers was infection control (41%). The overall preparedness level in primary health care centers was poor (52%).Conclusions:From our result we concluded thatthe weakest domains of preparedness in hospitals were health personnel and supplies while the weakest domain of preparedness in primary centers was infection control measures.

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