Abstract
Abstract Background Current challenges facing the overburdened health systems warrant a review of public health training and development of the health workforce in Africa within the context of the envisioned global goal of universal health coverage (UHC). The integral components informing the relevance of public health education in the setting of UHC comprises the academic workforce, curriculum and institutional capacity. The aim of the study is to assess the capacity of African academic institutions of public health to address the requirements for UHC and sustainable development goals (SDGs), and to develop an institutional self-evaluation tool as part of an accreditation system. Methods Study design: this multi-phase study will employ mixed methods. Study setting: academic institutions of public health at Anglophone, Lusophone, Francophone countries in Africa. Study population: Heads/Deans of Departments/Schools of Public Health, education experts and/or content experts. Various sampling techniques will be employed per study phase. Phase 1 will use an electronic, secure, validated self-administered questionnaire and/or interview schedule to determine the academic workforce demographic characteristics, curriculum characteristics and institutional characteristics. Phase 2 will comprise a Delphi study to determine the items for a self-evaluation tool that will be piloted in Phase 3. STATA version 15 will be used for quantitative analysis and ATLAS.ti software for qualitative analysis. Conclusions The study findings are envisaged to produce a self-evaluation tool that can guide these institutions to align academic training and development in pursuit of realising the SDGs and implementation of UHC. Furthermore, the study findings will be shared with the Association of Schools of Public Health in Africa (ASPHA); and used to strengthen the regional institution capacities and networks of public health. Key messages Thorough systematic planning and preparation in public health education is vital for the successful implementation of UHC. The African region does not have an accreditation system for academic institutions of public health; and while this role can be fulfilled by ASPHA, evaluation tools are needed.
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