The Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (GFELTP), in collaboration with its partners, is organising its 8th Scientific Conference and Competency Graduation. The 2026 GFELTP Conference is scheduled for 9th – 10th December 2026 in Accra at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre at the University of Ghana under the theme “Local ownership, lasting impact, context-driven approaches to FELTP sustainability”.
Current trainees and graduates from field-based training programmes in applied epidemiology, laboratory, and public health practice are invited to submit abstracts (in English only). Priority will be given to current trainees and recent graduates.
Abstracts should cover investigations or projects undertaken and completed during training and within the past two years (i.e.:not earlier than December 2024). We are interested in studies on infectious diseases, public health surveillance systems and related activities, investigations, implementation and evaluation of public health programmes or surveillance activities, non-communicable diseases, and other areas in applied epidemiology or public health practice. In particular, abstracts should emphasize how the results of the investigation or analysis were used to direct public health actions, and also describe or estimate the public health impact.
Abstracts submitted for consideration should be original. In particular, the abstract should not represent work already published in peer-reviewed journals or previously accepted to an international conference. Abstracts should not be more than 300 words in length.
All abstracts must be submitted in via the given link. All other versions would lead to a rejection of the abstract.
Abstracts must include the following sections:
Title: The title should be informative but concise. Avoid subtitles if possible. Write the title in sentence case and only capitalize proper nouns and scientific names where appropriate e.g. Plasmodium falciparum. Do NOT use abbreviations or acronyms in the abstract title.
Introduction/Background: Address the scientific background, rationale for the study as well as the public health significance of the subject. Because of the anticipated diversity of the reviewers and those attending the conference, do not assume that everyone will be familiar with your topic. Explain why your study is important and what question(s) it will answer.
A clearly stated background sets the stage and should include:
A brief description of the topic and its public health significance
Study Objectives
Research questions or study hypothesis if applicable
Methods: Describe the methods used for the study. Essential points to be included in this section are:
Study design
Study setting
Study population
Eligibility criteria and case definitions if any
Sample size and sampling methods
Results: Present the significant findings (both positive and negative) of the study that are directly related to the study objectives. This section should not include discussion of the results. Provide both absolute numbers and their percentages/proportions, rates and ratios where applicable.
Please note that since an abstract is a stand-alone and citable document, the results section must contain data. It should not include such statements as “Data will be discussed.” If considerable work is still pending before the conference submission, please indicate that the results are preliminary.
Conclusion: Be as concise as possible. Do not re-state data included in the results. This section may include:
An interpretation of key findings and their implications for public health practice
Public health actions that are recommended and/or have been implemented as a consequence of the study
Note: Changes cannot be made to the final abstract after submission is closed. However, in the event that significant changes are effected after submission of the abstract, the changes should be highlighted during abstract presentation.
Word count: The abstract should not exceed 300 words (includes subheadings but does not include the title, list of authors and their addressees or key words).
Formatting
Text should be left aligned.
Use font Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial, size 12 and 1.5 spacing.
Each subheading should be in bold font, and followed by a colon
Do not include any tables, figures or pictures in the abstract
Avoid using abbreviations that are not standard or universally known; however where used, they should be written in full the first they appear.
Scientific names should be italicized
Authors
First author: Provide first name, initials of the middle name (if any), and the last name e.g. David W. Meyers
Co-authors:
List each co-author in order of contribution by typing their full names, first name followed by their last name in full (e.g. Walter Grisham, Michel Sam Pollock)
Provide the organizational affiliations of the first author and all co-authors
Indicate the corresponding author with an asterix* and provide their email address and telephone number plus their alternate contacts
Key words: Please include 3 – 6 key words. Use terms listed in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) from the Index Medicus (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/meshhome.html)