Competency gaps and training needs in infectious disease control among public health professionals: a nationwide survey in China.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases pose significant challenges to global public health security, which necessitates robust prevention and control capabilities within national public health systems. This study aimed to assess the infectious disease control competencies of provincial and prefecture-level public health professionals in China and investigate their willingness and demand for professional training to inform future training plans. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 2023 to December 2023 among public health professionals from 15 provinces in China. The infectious disease control competency scale was utilized to evaluate professionals' competencies across four dimensions: knowledge, practical skills, leadership, and personal qualities. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among 883 participants enrolled in the study, the median total competency score was 74.70 (IQR 67.97-81.00) out of 100. The most deficient areas identified were scientific research abilities (scoring rate 63.76%), knowledge of public health emergency management (65.35%), and skills in infectious disease prevention and emergency preparedness (70.15%). Higher education level (OR 1.565; 95% CI 1.137-2.153), longer work experience (OR 2.448; 95% CI 1.354-4.427), more frequent outbreak response involvement (OR 3.931; 95% CI 2.517-6.141), continued professional development through training (OR 4.100; 95% CI 2.096-8.019), and higher job satisfaction (OR 6.199; 95% CI 3.659-10.502) were all associated with enhanced competency scores. Most participants (87.5%) expressed willingness to participate in future training, with preferences for case analysis, scenario simulations, public health response to infectious diseases, research design, and report and paper writing. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide survey revealed moderate infectious disease control competencies among Chinese public health professionals, with specific areas for improvement. Tailored training initiatives focusing on identified gaps and preferred topics, coupled with strategies to foster continuous professional development, are crucial for enhancing the public health workforce's capabilities.