scholarly journals How has the Stop Transmission of Polio Program consultants and Open Data Kit technology contributed towards polio eradication efforts in Kenya?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brook Tesfaye ◽  
Alieu Sowe ◽  
Jeevan K. Makam
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Supplementary Immunization Activities ◽  
Afp Surveillance ◽  
Open Data Kit

Abstract Background: Polio eradication efforts in Kenya include the development of a skilled local workforce and the application of innovative technologies. This paper describes the role of Stop Transmission of Polio Program (STOP) consultants and the use of Open Data Kit (ODK) technology in strengthening polio eradication efforts in Kenya.Methods: Overview of the STOP program, deployment, and the modality of support is described. The application of innovative ODK technology was examined. Descriptive analysis was conducted on data collected by the STOP consultants during supportive supervisions using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 22) and maps were developed using Quantum Geographic Information System (GIS) (version 3.4.1).Results: STOP consultants supportively supervised eight hundred seventy health facilities both on routine immunization (RI) and on Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system in 16 (34.1%) counties during the study period. Active surveillance for AFP was conducted in all health facilities supervised, and 11 unreported cases of AFP were detected and investigated. STOP consultants, as part of an outbreak response, provided technical support on five successive rounds of polio Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) conducted during period studied. Moreover, addressing programmatic data needs, the STOP data manager has played a valuable role in enhancing the quality and use of data for evidence-based decision-making, both routine immunization and AFP surveillance. ODK technology was used in AFP surveillance, routine and supplementary immunization activities being a part of the package of electronic tools available in the country. Conclusion: STOP consultants have contributed extensively to polio eradication efforts in Kenya, through enhancing active case search, supporting outbreak response, strengthening routine immunization program, training/ capacity building of Frontline Health Workers (FLW), data analysis, interpretation and supportive supervision. The application of ODK technology has contributed to generating real-time quality data for informed decision making including spatial data, even in resource-limited hard to reach settings where the likelihood of poliovirus transmission is higher. A national STOP program should be modeled to produce homegrown qualified personnel who are able to support eradication and response activities in Kenya.

scholarly journals Controlling polio outbreak due to imported wild poliovirus in Indonesia: A success story

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumarmo Poorwo Soedarmo ◽  
Sidik Utoro
Keyword(s):  
Acute Flaccid Paralysis ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Wild Poliovirus ◽  
First Case ◽  
Supplementary Immunization Activities ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Outbreak Response Immunization

Background As a WHO member state, Indonesia is committed toGlobal Polio Eradication. The last indigenous polio case was found in 1995. However, we faced a big challenge with the occurrence of polio outbreak, beginning with a polio case caused by imported wild poliovirus (WPV) type 1 in Sukabumi in 2005. The virus was originated from Sudan and imported to Indonesia through Saudi Arabia. The outbreak ended with totally 305 cases throughout the country. The last one occurred on 20 February 2006 in Aceh Tenggara District, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. In addition and separated from the WPV type 1 outbreak, in August 2005, four Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases with type 1 Vaccine Derived Poliovirus (VDPV) in stool samples were identified in Madura, East Java Province. The first case was on 9 June 2005 and ended with 45 cases in Madura and another case in Probolinggo District, East Jawa.Objective To report a success of controlling outbreak of importedWPV in Indonesia.Methods Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) and mopup immunization were conducted immediately. To completelystop the transmission, three rounds of National ImmunizationDays (NIDs) were conducted in 2005 (August, September, andNovember). Some more Supplementary Immunization Activities(SIAs) were conducted in 2006 (mop up in January, NIDs inFebruary and early April, mop ups in June and August 2006).For the VDPV outbreak, ORI of 18,880 children in 83 villagestook place during the first week of August, beside three roundsofNIDs in 2005.Results All activities resulted in satisfactorily coverage, whereeach round always exceeded 95%.Conclusions Those activities were conducted successfully andproven to be effective to stop the outbreak. Then again, Indonesia can be a polio free country in the coming years.

Leveraging Polio GIS platforms in the African Region for mitigating Covid-19 contact tracing challenges (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godwin Ubong Akpan ◽  
Isah Mohammed Bello ◽  
Kebba Touray ◽  
Reuben Ngofa ◽  
Daniel Oyaole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
African Region ◽  
Health Crisis

BACKGROUND The growth of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Africa is an urgent public health crisis. Estimated models project over 150,000 deaths and 4,600,000 hospitalizations in the first year of disease in the absence of adequate interventions. Electronic contact tracing, therefore, offers a critical role in decreasing COVID-19 transmission; yet if not conducted properly can rapidly become a bottleneck for synchronized data collection, case detection, and case management. While the continent is currently reporting relatively low COVID-19 cases, digitized contact tracing mechanisms are necessary for standardizing real-time reporting of new chains of infection to quickly reverse growing trends and halt the pandemic. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is describing an effective contact tracing smartphone app developed with expertise and experience gained from the numerous digital apps that the Polio programme has used to successfully support disease surveillance and immunization assessment in the African Region. A secondary objective is to describe how we leveraged Polio GIS resources to enhance existing contact tracing solutions to be more efficient through the connection to real-time data visualization platforms. METHODS We propose the use of a hybrid Open Data Kit (ODK) electronic COVID-19 contact registra- tion form that automates contacts and follow-ups. A proof-of-concept form on ODK has been developed that integrates collected contact tracing information from multiple platforms to generate an interactive regional dashboard to monitor the COVID-19 response. Analytics outputs extrapolate key outbreak response indi- cators such as timeliness, completeness and outcomes of contact tracing including new positive cases. This system allows multiple outbreak outputs to be monitored including sources of new infection for immediate response with minimal disruption to existing contact tracing tools. RESULTS Standardized electronic registration of COVID-19 contacts and follow-up using ODK has en- hanced monitoring of contact tracing. Countries and communities have increased their capacity to track COVID-19 cases and contacts in the general population quickly based on the onset of signs or symptoms. Registered contacts for contact tracing are matched to their respective cases more efficiently and for con- tacts that can engage in self-reporting, the anonymity of self-reporting. The country-specific results suggest that higher adoption rates of the tools may result in better quality data on the pandemic and elicited better decisions for a response. CONCLUSIONS Our proposed contact tracing solution which uses ODK based tools on smartphones and visualization bridge systems presents a scalable and easy to implement solution, that collects and aggregates good quality contact data with geographic information that can help make spatial based decisions and preserves privacy while demonstrating the potential to help make better decisions in response to an epidemic or pandemic outbreak. This application has been applied to the current COVID-19 pandemic and can also be used for other epidemics or pandemics in the future, to achieve quality data collection for better decision making.

scholarly journals Routine Health Information System in the Health Facilities in Yaoundé-Cameroon: Assessing the Gaps for Strengthening

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Bongwong Tamfon ◽  
Chanceline Bilounga Ndongo ◽  
Serge Marcial Bataliack ◽  
Marie Nicole Ngoufack ◽  
Georges Nguefack-Tsague
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Information System ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background: Management of health data and its use for informed decision making is a challenging health sector aspect in developing countries. Monitoring and evaluation of health interventions for meeting health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Cameroon Health Sector Strategy (HSS) targets is facilitated through evidence-based decision-making and public health action. Thus, a Routine Health Information System (RHIS) producing quality data is imperative. The objective of this study was to assess the RHIS in the health facilities (HFs) in Yaoundé in order to identify gaps and weaknesses and to propose measures for strengthening. Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the six health districts (HDs) of Yaoundé; followed by a qualitative aspect consisting of in-depth interviews of key informants at the Regional Health Office. HFs were selected using a stratified sampling method with probability proportional to the size of each HD. Data were collected (one respondent per HF) using the World Health Organization (WHO) and MEASURE Evaluation RHIS rapid assessment tool. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and analyzed with IBM-SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 111 HFs were selected for the study. Respondents aged 24-60 years with an average of 38.3±9.3 years; 58 (52.3%) male and 53(47.7%) female. Heads of HFs and persons in charge of statistics/data management were most represented with 45.0% and 21.6% respectively. All the twelve subdomains of the RHIS were adequately functioning at between 7% and 30%. These included Human Resources (7%), Data Analysis (10%), Information and Communication Technology (11%), Standards and System Design (15%), Policies and Planning (15%), Information Dissemination (16%), Data Demand and Use (16%), Management (18%), Data Needs (18%), Data Quality Assurance (20%), Collection and Management of Individual Client Data (26%), Collection, Management, and Reporting of Aggregated Facility Data (30%). Conclusions: The level of functioning of subdomains of the RHIS in Yaoundé was low; thus, immediate and district-specific strengthening actions should be implemented if health-related SDGs and HSS targets are to be met. A nation-wide assessment should be carried out in order to understand the determinants of these poor performances and to strengthen the RHIS.

scholarly journals The Potential Contribution of Supplementary Immunization Activities to Routine Immunization in Kebbi State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272093269
Author(s):  
Semeeh A. Omoleke ◽  
Biniam Getachew ◽  
Catherine S. Igoh ◽  
Taofik A. Yusuf ◽  
Surajudeen A. Lukman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Inactivated Polio Vaccine ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Pentavalent Vaccine ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Supplementary Immunization Activities ◽  
Short Period

Background: Among the strategies of the Polio Eradication Initiative, the landmark interventions are routine immunization (RI) and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs). RI is the provision of vaccination service at the health facility and conducted year-round. SIAs are a community-based intervention targeting large numbers of an eligible population within a short period. Hence, the study aimed to assess the contributions of SIAs on access and utilization of RI services. Methods: We conducted the study in 10 local government areas in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. We analyzed RI data from January to September 2019 and included the 4 SIAs conducted in January, April, August, and September in the same years. The number of children vaccinated, the trend of BCG, pentavalent vaccine at 6 and 10 weeks, and measles coverage and dropout rates (DORs) were analyzed. Results: For all the selected vaccines, the highest contributions to RI were recorded during the August 2019 fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) campaign. On the other hand, the least contributions were noted during January SIAs. The BCG coverage showed an erratic trend with the lowest in February and highest in July 2019. The coverage for the pentavalent vaccine at 6 and 10 weeks was lowest in February and September. The pentavalent vaccine DOR pattern showed the lowest in February with value of 0% and the highest in June with 12%. Except for May and June, the Pentavalent vaccine DORs for all other months were <10%. February 2019 had the lowest measles coverage. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the integration of RI into SIAs could improve RI coverage. and potentially reduce DOR, especially when the integration is of good quality and conducted at short and regular intervals. Although SIAs are instrumental at increasing RI coverage, the disruption of RI services may occur due to overlapping resources and poor planning. Therefore, SIAs should be adequately planned by program managers to strengthen RI service delivery during the SIAs implementation.

scholarly journals Innovative Technological Approach to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response in Nigeria Using the Open Data Kit and Form Hub Technology

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e0131000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Tom-Aba ◽  
Adeniyi Olaleye ◽  
Adebola Tolulope Olayinka ◽  
Patrick Nguku ◽  
Ndadilnasiya Waziri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Technological Approach ◽  
Open Data Kit

scholarly journals Routine health information system in the health facilities in Yaoundé–Cameroon: assessing the gaps for strengthening

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Bongwong Tamfon ◽  
Chanceline Bilounga Ndongo ◽  
Serge Marcial Bataliack ◽  
Marie Nicole Ngoufack ◽  
Georges Nguefack-Tsague
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Information System ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Management of health data and its use for informed-decision making is a challenging health sector aspect in developing countries. Monitoring and evaluation of health interventions for meeting health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Cameroon Health Sector Strategy (HSS) targets is facilitated through evidence-based decision-making and public health action. Thus, a routine health information system (RHIS) producing quality data is imperative. The objective of this study was to assess the RHIS in the health facilities (HFs) in Yaoundé in order to identify gaps and weaknesses and to propose measures for strengthening. Methods A health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the six health districts (HDs) of Yaoundé; followed by a qualitative aspect consisting of in-depth interviews of key informants at the Regional Health Office. HFs were selected using a stratified sampling method with probability proportional to the size of each HD. Data were collected (one respondent per HF) using the World Health Organization and MEASURE Evaluation RHIS rapid assessment tool. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and analyzed with IBM-SPSS version 20. Results A total of 111 HFs were selected for the study. Respondents aged 24–60 years with an average of 38.3 ± 9.3 years; 58 (52.3%) male and 53(47.7%) female. Heads of HFs and persons in charge of statistics/data management were most represented with 45.0% and 21.6% respectively. All the twelve subdomains of the RHIS were adequately functioning at between 7 and 30%. These included Human Resources (7%), Data Analysis (10%), Information and Communication Technology (11%), Standards and System Design (15%), Policies and Planning (15%), Information Dissemination (16%), Data Demand and Use (16%), Management (18%), Data Needs (18%), Data Quality Assurance (20%), Collection and Management of Individual Client Data (26%), Collection, Management, and Reporting of Aggregated Facility Data (30%). Conclusions The level of functioning of subdomains of the RHIS in Yaoundé was low; thus, immediate and district-specific strengthening actions should be implemented if health-related SDGs and HSS targets are to be met. A nation-wide assessment should be carried out in order to understand the determinants of these poor performances and to strengthen the RHIS.

scholarly journals Routine Health Information System in the Health Facilities in Yaoundé-Cameroon: Assessing the Gaps for Strengthening

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Bongwong Tamfon ◽  
Chanceline Bilounga Ndongo ◽  
Serge Marcial Bataliack ◽  
Marie Nicole Ngoufack ◽  
Georges Nguefack-Tsague
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Information System ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background Management of health data and its use for informed decision making is a challenging health sector aspect in developing countries. Monitoring and evaluation of health interventions for meeting health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Cameroon Health Sector Strategy (HSS) targets is facilitated through evidence-based decision-making and public health action. Thus, a Routine Health Information System (RHIS) producing quality data is imperative. The objective of this study was to assess the RHIS in the health facilities (HFs) in Yaoundé in order to identify gaps and weaknesses and to propose measures for strengthening. Methods A health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the six health districts (HDs) of Yaoundé; followed by a qualitative aspect consisting of in-depth interviews of key informants at the Regional Health Office. HFs were selected using a stratified sampling method with probability proportional to the size of each HD. Data were collected (one respondent per HF) using the World Health Organization (WHO) and MEASURE Evaluation RHIS rapid assessment tool. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and analyzed with IBM-SPSS version 20. Results A total of 111 HFs were selected for the study. Respondents aged 24-60 years with an average of 38.3±9.3 years; 58 (52.3%) male and 53(47.7%) female. Heads of HFs and persons in charge of statistics/data management were most represented with 45.0% and 21.6% respectively. All the twelve subdomains of the RHIS were adequately functioning at between 7% and 30%. These included Human Resources (7%), Data Analysis (10%), Information and Communication Technology (11%), Standards and System Design (15%), Policies and Planning (15%), Information Dissemination (16%), Data Demand and Use (16%), Management (18%), Data Needs (18%), Data Quality Assurance (20%), Collection and Management of Individual Client Data (26%), Collection, Management, and Reporting of Aggregated Facility Data (30%). Conclusions The level of functioning of subdomains of the RHIS in Yaoundé was low; thus, immediate and district-specific strengthening actions should be implemented if health-related SDGs and HSS targets are to be met. A nation-wide assessment should be carried out in order to understand the determinants of these poor performances and to strengthen the RHIS.

scholarly journals Routine Health Information System in the Health Facilities in Yaoundé-Cameroon: Assessing the Gaps for Strengthening

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Bongwong Tamfon ◽  
Chanceline Bilounga Ndongo ◽  
Serge Marcial Bataliack ◽  
Marie Nicole Ngoufack ◽  
Georges Nguefack-Tsague
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information System ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Information System ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background: Management of health data and its use for informed-decision making is a challenging health sector aspect in developing countries. Monitoring and evaluation of health interventions for meeting health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Cameroon Health Sector Strategy (HSS) targets is facilitated through evidence-based decision-making and public health action. Thus, a Routine Health Information System (RHIS) producing quality data is imperative. The objective of this study was to assess the RHIS in the health facilities (HFs) in Yaoundé in order to identify gaps and weaknesses and to propose measures for strengthening. Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the six health districts (HDs) of Yaoundé; followed by a qualitative aspect consisting of in-depth interviews of key informants at the Regional Health Office. HFs were selected using a stratified sampling method with probability proportional to the size of each HD. Data were collected (one respondent per HF) using the World Health Organization (WHO) and MEASURE Evaluation RHIS rapid assessment tool. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and analyzed with IBM-SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 111 HFs were selected for the study. Respondents aged 24-60 years with an average of 38.3±9.3 years; 58 (52.3%) male and 53(47.7%) female. Heads of HFs and persons in charge of statistics/data management were most represented with 45.0% and 21.6% respectively. All the twelve subdomains of the RHIS were adequately functioning at between 7% and 30%. These included Human Resources (7%), Data Analysis (10%), Information and Communication Technology (11%), Standards and System Design (15%), Policies and Planning (15%), Information Dissemination (16%), Data Demand and Use (16%), Management (18%), Data Needs (18%), Data Quality Assurance (20%), Collection and Management of Individual Client Data (26%), Collection, Management, and Reporting of Aggregated Facility Data (30%). Conclusions: The level of functioning of subdomains of the RHIS in Yaoundé was low; thus, immediate and district-specific strengthening actions should be implemented if health-related SDGs and HSS targets are to be met. A nation-wide assessment should be carried out in order to understand the determinants of these poor performances and to strengthen the RHIS.

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