scholarly journals The integrated disease surveillance and response system in northern Ghana: challenges to the core and support functions

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin N Adokiya ◽  
John K Awoonor-Williams ◽  
Claudia Beiersmann ◽  
Olaf Müller
Keyword(s):  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
The Core ◽  
Response System ◽  
Surveillance And Response

scholarly journals Assessment of the core and support functions of the integrated disease surveillance and response system in Zanzibar, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Saleh ◽  
Jovin Kitau ◽  
Flemming Konradsen ◽  
Leonard E. G. Mboera ◽  
Karin L. Schiøler
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Outbreak Detection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
The Core ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Facility Level

Abstract Background Disease surveillance is a cornerstone of outbreak detection and control. Evaluation of a disease surveillance system is important to ensure its performance over time. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the core and support functions of the Zanzibar integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) system to determine its capacity for early detection of and response to infectious disease outbreaks. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 10 districts of Zanzibar and 45 public and private health facilities. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data. This included document review, observations and interviews with surveillance personnel using a modified World Health Organization generic questionnaire for assessing national disease surveillance systems. Results The performance of the IDSR system in Zanzibar was suboptimal particularly with respect to early detection of epidemics. Weak laboratory capacity at all levels greatly hampered detection and confirmation of cases and outbreaks. None of the health facilities or laboratories could confirm all priority infectious diseases outlined in the Zanzibar IDSR guidelines. Data reporting was weakest at facility level, while data analysis was inadequate at all levels (facility, district and national). The performance of epidemic preparedness and response was generally unsatisfactory despite availability of rapid response teams and budget lines for epidemics in each district. The support functions (supervision, training, laboratory, communication and coordination, human resources, logistic support) were inadequate particularly at the facility level. Conclusions The IDSR system in Zanzibar is weak and inadequate for early detection and response to infectious disease epidemics. The performance of both core and support functions are hampered by several factors including inadequate human and material resources as well as lack of motivation for IDSR implementation within the healthcare delivery system. In the face of emerging epidemics, strengthening of the IDSR system, including allocation of adequate resources, should be a priority in order to safeguard human health and economic stability across the archipelago of Zanzibar.

scholarly journals Self-reported challenges to border screening of travelers for Ebola by district health workers in northern Ghana: An observational study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245039
Author(s):  
John Koku Awoonor-Williams ◽  
Cheryl A. Moyer ◽  
Martin Nyaaba Adokiya
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Entry Points

Background The 2013–2016 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak remains the largest on record, resulting in the highest mortality and widest geographic spread experienced in Africa. Ghana, like many other African nations, began screening travelers at all entry points into the country to enhance disease surveillance and response. This study aimed to assess the challenges of screening travelers for EVD at border entry in northern Ghana. Design and methods This was an observational study using epidemiological weekly reports (Oct 2014-Mar 2015) of travelers entering Ghana in the Upper East Region (UER) and qualitative interviews with 12 key informants (7 port health officers and 5 district directors of health) in the UER. We recorded the number of travelers screened, their country of origin, and the number of suspected EVD cases from paper-based weekly epidemiological reports at the border entry. We collected qualitative data using an interview guide with a particular focus on the core and support functions (e.g. detection, reporting, feedback, etc.) of the World Health Organization’s Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system. Quantitative data was analyzed based on travelers screened and disaggregated by the three most affected countries. We used inductive approach to analyze the qualitative data and produced themes on knowledge and challenges of EVD screening. Results A total of 41,633 travelers were screened, and only 1 was detained as a suspected case of EVD. This potential case was eventually ruled out via blood test. All but 52 of the screened travelers were from Ghana and its contiguous neighbors, Burkina Faso and Togo. The remaining 52 were from the four countries most affected by EVD (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali). Challenges to effective border screening included: inadequate personal protective equipment and supplies, insufficient space or isolation rooms and delays at the border crossings, and too few trained staff. Respondents also cited lack of capacity to confirm cases locally, lack of cooperation by some travelers, language barriers, and multiple entry points along porous borders. Nonetheless, no potential Ebola case identified through border screening was confirmed in Ghana. Conclusion Screening for Ebola remains sub-optimal at the entry points in northern Ghana due to several systemic and structural factors. Given the likelihood of future infectious disease outbreaks, additional attention and support are required if Ghana is to minimize the risk of travel-related spread of illness.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the integrated disease surveillance and response system for infectious diseases control in northern Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Nyaaba Adokiya ◽  
John Koku Awoonor-Williams ◽  
Inuwa Yau Barau ◽  
Claudia Beiersmann ◽  
Olaf Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Response System ◽  
Surveillance And Response

scholarly journals Evaluation of the reporting completeness and timeliness of the integrated disease surveillance and response system in northern Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Nyaaba Adokiya ◽  
J. Koku Awoonor-Williams ◽  
Claudia Beiersmann ◽  
Olaf Müller
Keyword(s):  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Response System ◽  
Surveillance And Response

scholarly journals Assessment of the core and support functions of the Integrated Disease Surveillance system in Maharashtra, India

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Revati K Phalkey ◽  
Sharvari Shukla ◽  
Savita Shardul ◽  
Nutan Ashtekar ◽  
Sapna Valsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
The Core ◽  
Disease Surveillance System

scholarly journals Twenty Years of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Effective Management of Infectious Disease Epidemics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Mremi ◽  
Janeth George ◽  
Susan F. Rumisha ◽  
Calvin Sindato ◽  
Leonard E.G. Mboera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Management Information System ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Disease Epidemics

Abstract Background: Public health surveillance requires valid, timely and complete health information for early detection of outbreaks. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) adopted Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy in 1998 in response to an increased frequency of emerging and re-emerging diseases in the region. This systematic review aimed to analyse how IDSR implementation has embraced advancement in information technology, big data analytics techniques and wealth of data sources to strengthen detection and management of infectious disease epidemics in SSA. Methods: A search for eligible articles was done through HINARI, PubMed, and advanced Google Scholar databases. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols checklist. Using the key search descriptors, 1,809 articles were identified and screened at two stages and 45 studies met the inclusion criteria for detailed review.Results: Of the 45 studies, 35 were country-specific, seven studies covered the region and three studies covered 3-4 countries. A total of 24 studies assessed the IDSR core functions while 42 studies assessed the support functions. Twenty-three studies addressed both the core and support functions. Most of the studies involved Tanzania (9), Ghana (6) and Uganda (5). The implementation of the IDSR strategy has shown improvements mainly in the support functions. The Health Management Information System (HMIS) has remained the main source of IDSR data. However, the HMIS system is characterised by inadequate data completeness, timeliness, quality, analysis and utilisation as well as lack of integration of data from sources other than health care facilities. Conclusion: In most SSA, HMIS is the main source of IDSR data, characterised by incompleteness, inconsistency and inaccuracy. This data is considered to be biased and reflects only the population seeking care from healthcare facilities. Community-based event-based surveillance is weak and non-existence in the majority of the countries. Data from other systems are not effectively utilized and integrated for surveillance. It is recommended that SSA countries consider and adopt multi-sectoral, multi-disease and multi-indicator platforms that integrate the existing surveillance systems with other sources of health information to provide support to effective detection and prompt response to public health threats.

scholarly journals Twenty years of integrated disease surveillance and response in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities for effective management of infectious disease epidemics

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene R. Mremi ◽  
Janeth George ◽  
Susan F. Rumisha ◽  
Calvin Sindato ◽  
Sharadhuli I. Kimera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Health Management Information System ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Introduction This systematic review aimed to analyse the performance of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and how its implementation has embraced advancement in information technology, big data analytics techniques and wealth of data sources. Methods HINARI, PubMed, and advanced Google Scholar databases were searched for eligible articles. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols. Results A total of 1,809 articles were identified and screened at two stages. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 35 were country-specific, seven covered the SSA region, and three covered 3–4 countries. Twenty-six studies assessed the IDSR core functions, 43 the support functions, while 24 addressed both functions. Most of the studies involved Tanzania (9), Ghana (6) and Uganda (5). The routine Health Management Information System (HMIS), which collects data from health care facilities, has remained the primary source of IDSR data. However, the system is characterised by inadequate data completeness, timeliness, quality, analysis and utilisation, and lack of integration of data from other sources. Under-use of advanced and big data analytical technologies in performing disease surveillance and relating multiple indicators minimises the optimisation of clinical and practice evidence-based decision-making. Conclusions This review indicates that most countries in SSA rely mainly on traditional indicator-based disease surveillance utilising data from healthcare facilities with limited use of data from other sources. It is high time that SSA countries consider and adopt multi-sectoral, multi-disease and multi-indicator platforms that integrate other sources of health information to provide support to effective detection and prompt response to public health threats.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document