To evaluate the outbreak investigation ability of epidemiological investigators in Disease Control and Prevention Institutions in Tianjin, to explore the influencing factors, and to provide a scientific basis for enhancing their competency.

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 874 epidemiological investigators across Disease Control and Prevention Institutions in Tianjin from May to June 2024. The respondents conducted self-assessment of individual outbreak investigation ability according to their actual situation. The outbreak investigation ability of epidemiological investigators and their main influencing factors were conducted through single factor analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis.

The total score M of outbreak investigation ability of epidemiological investigators in Disease Control and Prevention Institutions in Tianjin was 60.00 points. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that the main influencing factors of the outbreak investigation ability score were: Age (aged 41-50: β=-5.060), Educational background (bachelor’s degree: β=6.685; postgraduate degree:β=11.336), No experience in infectious disease-related work (β=-2.519), No participation in on-site epidemiological training (β=-2.500), No participation in the outbreak investigation and disposal (β=-3.694), The number of case epidemiological investigations (>50 times: β=3.721), The number of trend analysis evaluations (1-5 times: β=9.903, 6-20 times: β=10.369, 21-50 times: β=8.401, >50 times: β=19.484), The number of completed epidemiological investigation reports (1-5 times: β=5.716, >5 times: β=5.058) (all P<0.05).

The main influencing factors include experience in handling epidemic outbreaks, the number of practical operations of epidemiological investigation core skills, systematic training, educational background, and age. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize practical training and drill mechanisms, and conduct outbreak investigation ability training at different levels for personnel of various age and educational background, to enhance the comprehensive handling ability of epidemiological investigators.