Investigation of anthrax in an endemic region in Kenya: a mixed methods approach
Mark Odhiambo Obonyo, Mikayla Farr, Emmanuel Hikufe Hikufe, Wilson Rubanzana, Maurice Omondi Owiny, Zeinab Gura Roka
Corresponding author: Mark Odhiambo Obonyo, Kenya Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Kenya
Received: 22 Feb 2018 - Accepted: 05 Apr 2018 - Published: 18 May 2018
Domain: Infectious diseases epidemiology,Health education,Public health
Keywords: Outbreak investigation, anthrax, Kenya, mixed methods
This article is published as part of the supplement African Case Studies for Public Health - Volume 2, commissioned by African Field Epidemiology Network.
©Mark Odhiambo Obonyo et al. Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Mark Odhiambo Obonyo et al. Investigation of anthrax in an endemic region in Kenya: a mixed methods approach. Pan African Medical Journal. 2018;30(1):12. [doi: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2018.30.1.15279]
Available online at: https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com//content/series/30/1/12/full
Investigation of anthrax in an endemic region in Kenya: a mixed methods approach
Mark Odhiambo Obonyo1,&, Mikayla Farr2, Emmanuel Hikufe Hikufe3, Wilson Rubanzana4, Maurice Omondi Owiny1, Zeinab Gura Roka1
1Kenya Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Kenya, 2Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA, 3Nambia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nambia, 4School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
&Corresponding author
Mark Odhiambo Obonyo, Kenya Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Kenya
In Kenya, human anthrax cases most often occur linked to animal anthrax. In most cases, human behaviors, especially slaughter and consumption of meat from animal anthrax cases, has been implicated. This case study is based on an anthrax outbreak investigation conducted in an endemic region in Kenya in May 2016.The case study simulates how a mixed methods approach can be used in epidemiologic research.To fully benefit from this case study, participants should have had prior lectures or other instruction in quantitative and qualitative study designs and sampling approachesused in epidemiologic research. The case study is ideally suited for trainees at intermediate or advance level training in field epidemiology who should be able to complete the case study in approximately 3 hours.
General instructions: the case study is suited for a class of up to 20 trainees per session. Ideally, 1 to 2 instructors can facilitate the case study in a classroom or conference room. The instructor facilitating the session should direct participants to read a paragraph out aloud, going around the room to give each participant a chance to read. When a participant reads a question, the instructor may choose to engage the class in large group discussion of the answer, randomly identify a participant to respond to the question, or divide the class into smaller groups for exercises, depending on the type of question. The role of the instructor is largely to coordinate the session such that participants learn more from each other, and not just from the instructor.
Audience: intermediate and advance level trainees in the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP).
Prerequisites: for this case study, participants should have received lectures or other instructions in; Study designs in epidemiologic research; Survey and sampling in epidemiologic research; Ethics in Research: Writing an Informed Consent Form.
Materials needed: flipcharts or white board with markers.
Level of training: intermediate and advanced level training in epidemiology.
Time required: approximately 3 hours
Language: English
- Download the case study student guide (PDF - 872 KO)
- Request the case study facilitator guide.
The authors declare no competing interests.
The authors wish to thank the residents of the Kenya field epidemiology and laboratory training program who carried out the investigations. We wish also to thank AFENET and organizers of the case study design and development course at Emory University School of Public Health for logistical and technical support during development of the case study.
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