Lived experiences from FETP field deployments in resource-limited settings
- 1Chato Zonal Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 43, Kitela, Chato DC, Geita Region, Tanzania
- 2Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program
- 3National AIDS, STIs and Hepatitis Control Programme, Tanzania
Abstract
Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) provide hands-on experience in outbreak response, disease surveillance, mentorship, and other public health activities. Although the contributions of field epidemiologists are well recognized, the operational and human realities of field deployments, particularly in resource-limited settings, remain poorly documented. This perspective describes lived experiences from outbreak response, surveillance, and mentorship activities conducted in Tanzania. A narrative reflective approach was used to document firsthand field experiences from outbreak response, surveillance, and mentorship activities conducted in different regions of Tanzania. Approximately 10 field experiences were considered, from which four were selected and developed into narrative accounts. The experiences were reviewed to identify common issues and lessons that guided the presentation of the reflections. Four narratives illustrate the practical realities of field epidemiology, including poor communication networks, difficult travel and infrastructure, sociocultural challenges during community engagement and logistical uncertainties encountered during outbreak response and mentorship activities. The narratives illustrate that field epidemiology involves more than surveillance and outbreak response and is shaped by the social, environmental and operational conditions in which field teams work. The experiences highlight the importance of preparation, adaptability, community engagement and appropriate support when working in remote and resource-limited settings. Sharing such experiences can contribute to better preparation and planning for future field deployments.
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BibTeX
@article{zuberi2026lived,
title = {{Lived experiences from FETP field deployments in resource-limited settings}},
author = {Sued Yassin Zuberi and Ally Kassim Hussein and Nsiande Lema and Devotha Leonard and Loveness Urio and Amir Juya and Grace Mlingi and Baraka Nyakuya and Ipyana Frank Mwandelile and Brian Mawalla},
journal = {Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.37432/jieph-d-26-00261},
url = {https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-d-26-00261},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lived experiences from FETP field deployments in resource-limited settings
AU - Sued Yassin Zuberi
AU - Ally Kassim Hussein
AU - Nsiande Lema
AU - Devotha Leonard
AU - Loveness Urio
AU - Amir Juya
AU - Grace Mlingi
AU - Baraka Nyakuya
AU - Ipyana Frank Mwandelile
AU - Brian Mawalla
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health
DO - 10.37432/jieph-d-26-00261
UR - https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-d-26-00261
AB - Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) provide hands-on experience in outbreak response, disease surveillance, mentorship, and other public health activities. Although the contributions of field epidemiologists are well recognized, the operational and human realities of field deployments, particularly in resource-limited settings, remain poorly documented. This perspective describes lived experiences from outbreak response, surveillance, and mentorship activities conducted in Tanzania. A narrative reflective approach was used to document firsthand field experiences from outbreak response, surveillance, and mentorship activities conducted in different regions of Tanzania. Approximately 10 field experiences were considered, from which four were selected and developed into narrative accounts. The experiences were reviewed to identify common issues and lessons that guided the presentation of the reflections. Four narratives illustrate the practical realities of field epidemiology, including poor communication networks, difficult travel and infrastructure, sociocultural challenges during community engagement and logistical uncertainties encountered during outbreak response and mentorship activities. The narratives illustrate that field epidemiology involves more than surveillance and outbreak response and is shaped by the social, environmental and operational conditions in which field teams work. The experiences highlight the importance of preparation, adaptability, community engagement and appropriate support when working in remote and resource-limited settings. Sharing such experiences can contribute to better preparation and planning for future field deployments.
SN - 2664-2824
ER -