Abstract
ProblemThe burden of trauma and injuries in Uganda is substantial and growing. Two important gaps that need addressing are the shortage of trained people and a lack of national data on noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors in Uganda.ApproachWe developed and implemented a new track within an existing master of public health programme, aimed at developing graduate-level capacity and promoting research on key national priorities for trauma and injuries. We also offered training opportunities to a wider audience and set up a high-level national injury forum to foster national dialogue on addressing the burden of trauma, injuries and disability.Local settingThe Chronic Consequences of Trauma, Injuries and Disability in Uganda programme was implemented in 2012 at Makerere University School of Public Health in Kampala, Uganda, in conjunction with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, United States of America.Relevant changesOver the years 2012 to 2017 we supported four cohorts of master’s students, with a total of 14 students (9 females and 5 males; mean age 30 years). Over 1300 individuals participated in workshops and seminars of the short-term training component of the programme. The forum hosted three research symposia and two national injury forums.Lessons learntInstitutional support and collaborative engagement is important for developing and implementing successful capacity development programmes. Integration of training components within existing academic structures is key to sustainability. Appropriate mentorship for highly motivated and talented students is valuable for guiding students through the programme.
Highlights
Injuries are a leading cause of death in the African Region, where they claim over 900 000 lives annually,[1] and within Africa, Uganda has one of the highest burdens.[2]
In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 36 000 deaths and 2460 per 1000 disability adjusted life-years lost from all injuries in Uganda, representing 12% of the total disease burden (20 619 per 1000 disability adjusted life-years) in the country.[1]
We developed and implemented a graduate-level training programme aimed at developing such capacity and fostering a national dialogue geared towards concerted actions to reduce the growing burden of injuries in Uganda
Summary
Postgraduate training for trauma prevention, injury surveillance and research, Uganda. Two important gaps that need addressing are the shortage of trained people and a lack of national data on noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors in Uganda. Approach We developed and implemented a new track within an existing master of public health programme, aimed at developing graduate-level capacity and promoting research on key national priorities for trauma and injuries. We offered training opportunities to a wider audience and set up a high-level national injury forum to foster national dialogue on addressing the burden of trauma, injuries and disability. Lessons learnt Institutional support and collaborative engagement is important for developing and implementing successful capacity development programmes. Appropriate mentorship for highly motivated and talented students is valuable for guiding students through the programme
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
