Training needs of personnel in disease prevention and control institutions at different levels in China, 2023: an online cross-sectional survey

Abstract

ObjectiveTo understand the training needs of personnel in disease prevention and control institutions at different administrative levels in China, and to provide evidence for optimizing training programs in the institutions. MethodsUsing stratified random sampling and a self-developed questionnaire, we conducted an online self-administered survey of the content, duration, and frequency of professional training needs of 2 520 staff from 7 provincial, 7 municipal, and 14 county-level disease prevention and control institutions in 7 provinces (municipalities) across geographical regions of China from September to October 2023. Frequency and composition ratios were taken to describe count data, and the chi-squared test was used to compare the training needs of staff at different levels. Factors influencing respondents′ choice of ideal training frequency were explored, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 2 290 participants provided valid responses, of which 671, 607, and 1 012 were from provincial, municipal, and county-level disease prevention and control institutions, respectively. In general, the respondents were more concerned about training in infectious disease prevention and control and emergency response to public health emergencies. Respondents from county-level institutions preferred practical skills training (χ2 = 7.917, P = 0.019) and emergency simulation drills (χ2 = 6.255, P = 0.044). Respondents from provincial and municipal institutions reported a greater need for training in the use of data analysis software (reported by 58.9% and 59.6% of the respondents, respectively), study design (54.2% and 43.0%), and research paper writing (34.4% and 35.3%), while the respondents from the county-level reported a greater need for training in the use of information systems (reported by 41.4% of the respondents) and computer skills (39.1%). Factors influencing the choice of ideal training frequency (P < 0.05) were gender, level of education, type of qualification certificate, and job position. Female respondents were less likely to choose high frequency training (≥ 4 times) than male respondents (odds ratio [OR] = 0.745, P = 0.001). Compared with those with a college degree or less, respondents with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree (OR = 2.093) or more were more (OR = 2.519) likely to choose high-frequency training (P < 0.001). Compared with those with a public health practitioner qualification certificate, respondents with other professional qualification certificates were more likely to choose high-frequency training (OR = 1.488, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe personnel of the disease prevention and control institutions in China have a strong willingness to participate in professional training, and the personnel of the institutions at different administrative levels have different needs in terms of training content and duration. The results must be taken into consideration when developing professional training programs for personnel.

Keywords

• institutions, disease prevention and control
• personnel training
• capacity building