Submission ID 117164
| Issue/Objective | Climate change is intensifying the frequency and distribution of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), posing a growing threat to health security in low- and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, increasingly erratic rainfall and rising temperatures are linked to outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and dengue. This study aimed to assess the preparedness of health systems in Eastern Ethiopia to detect, respond to, and manage climate-sensitive VBD outbreaks, and to identify system-level gaps and opportunities for strengthening outbreak preparedness and resilience. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted between June and September 2024 across public health facilities in the Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia. Quantitative data were collected through a structured facility preparedness checklist based on WHO Joint External Evaluation indicators. Qualitative data were gathered through 30 key informant interviews with regional health bureau officials, frontline health workers, and disease surveillance officers. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis to triangulate findings. |
| Results | Only 38% of assessed facilities had a functional early warning surveillance system for VBDs, and fewer than half had trained staff in climate-sensitive outbreak response. Stockouts of essential supplies (e.g., rapid diagnostic tests, insecticides) were reported in 65% of facilities. Coordination between health and climate sectors was minimal, with most interviewees highlighting poor intersectoral data sharing and limited use of climate forecasting in outbreak planning. However, promising local initiatives-such as mobile health units and community-based surveillance-were identified as scalable practices |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The study reveals critical preparedness gaps that undermine Ethiopia's capacity to manage climate-sensitive outbreaks, reflecting broader global health security challenges in fragile settings. Strengthening health-climate collaboration, investing in local health workforce capacity, and integrating climate data into surveillance systems are vital for building resilience. These findings support regional and global efforts to enhance outbreak preparedness in the face of climate threats and align closely with the conference's theme of global health security, climate, and preparedness. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Wasihun Bihonegn Wollo University Tesfaye Teweldebirhan Woldia University Eyasu Teshome Woldia University |
