article · Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health
Lassa fever presents a severe public health challenge in West Africa, causing substantial morbidity and mortality among vulnerable groups and healthcare workers. To address recurrent outbreaks across the ECOWAS region, an intensive training of trainers programme took place in Lomé, Togo, bringing together thirty-five healthcare professionals from ten member states. The curriculum addressed early detection, referral pathways, and advanced clinical care, covering infection prevention, case triage, diagnostic testing, complications, mental health support, and survivor care. Training methods combined expert instruction, scenario discussions, and practical simulation exercises in high-risk clinical settings. Participants achieved an average improvement of 46 percent in post-training assessment scores, with almost all trainees confirming the practical relevance of the programme. Trainees recommended expanding the initiative across member states alongside developing harmonised regional clinical guidelines, instructional manuals, and cross-border referral frameworks.
Lassa fever threatens healthcare systems and frontline medical workers across West Africa during frequent outbreaks. Equipping regional medical personnel with standardised clinical skills and infection control protocols reduces mortality, protects health workers from deadly infections, and strengthens regional preparedness against dangerous viral haemorrhagic fevers through coordinated cross-border response networks.
This work demonstrates an applied training framework ready for adoption rather than a commercial product. The primary end-users are national health ministries, regional public health agencies, and clinical training institutes. The initiative provides an immediate foundation for scalable operational tools, including standardised instructional manuals, cross-border patient referral protocols, and regional clinical management guidelines that public health organisations can implement across West African healthcare facilities.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Introduction Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa, poses significant public health challenges due to its high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among healthcare workers (HCWs) and vulnerable populations. In response to these challenges and the recurring outbreaks in the ECOWAS region, a Regional Training of Trainers on Clinical Management of Lassa Fever was held from March 24–28, 2025, in Lomé, Togo. This training, organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, aimed to enhance the region’s capacity to manage Lassa fever cases by equipping clinicians with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills. Methods Thirty-five participants from 10 ECOWAS Member States were trained using a dual-pathway approach that focused on early detection and referral and Intensive clinical management. The methodology combined expert-led presentations, practical demonstrations, scenario-based discussions, and a comprehensive simulation exercise (SIMEX) to reinforce the learning experience. Results The training covered key topics including infection prevention and control (IPC), case triage, management of complications (e.g., shock, renal and neurological conditions), laboratory diagnostics, mental health support, and survivor care. A significant highlight was the hands-on simulation at CHU Campus, Lomé, which tested participants’ clinical response in high-risk scenarios. Evaluation results showed an average improvement of 46% in post-test scores and high satisfaction among participants, with 96% affirming the relevance and applicability of the training content. Participants recommended scaling up similar training across Member States and proposed the development of regional guidelines, training manuals, and cross-border referral frameworks. Conclusion This training marks a critical step towards building a resilient regional workforce capable of managing Lassa fever and mitigating its public health impact by fostering harmonized practices, improved detection, and timely clinical interventions.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.37432/jieph-confpro5-00001
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
