OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to assess the performance of a community-based surveillance system (CBSS), developed and implemented in seven rural communes in Cambodia from 2000 to 2002 to provide timely and representative information on major health problems and life events, and so permit rapid and effective control of outbreaks and communicable diseases in general. METHODS: Lay people were trained as Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) to report suspected outbreaks, important infectious diseases, and vital events occurring in their communities to local health staff who analysed the data and gave feedback to the volunteers during their monthly meetings. RESULTS: Over 2 years of its implementation, the system was able to detect outbreaks early, regularly monitor communicable disease trends, and to provide continuously updated information on pregnancies, births and deaths in the rural areas. In addition, the system triggered effective responses from both health staff and VHVs for disease control and prevention and in outbreaks. CONCLUSION: A CBSS can successfully fill the gaps of the current health facility-based disease surveillance system in the rapid detection of outbreaks, in the effective monitoring of communicable diseases, and in the notification of vital events in rural Cambodia. Its replication or adaptation for use in other rural areas in Cambodia and in other developing countries is likely to be beneficial and cost-effective.
OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to assess the performance of a community-based surveillance system (CBSS), developed and implemented in seven rural communes in Cambodia from 2000 to 2002 to provide timely and representative information on major health problems and life events, and so permit rapid and effective control of outbreaks and communicable diseases in general. METHODS: Lay people were trained as Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) to report suspected outbreaks, important infectious diseases, and vital events occurring in their communities to local health staff who analysed the data and gave feedback to the volunteers during their monthly meetings. RESULTS: Over 2 years of its implementation, the system was able to detect outbreaks early, regularly monitor communicable disease trends, and to provide continuously updated information on pregnancies, births and deaths in the rural areas. In addition, the system triggered effective responses from both health staff and VHVs for disease control and prevention and in outbreaks. CONCLUSION: A CBSS can successfully fill the gaps of the current health facility-based disease surveillance system in the rapid detection of outbreaks, in the effective monitoring of communicable diseases, and in the notification of vital events in rural Cambodia. Its replication or adaptation for use in other rural areas in Cambodia and in other developing countries is likely to be beneficial and cost-effective.
Authors: Paul Wesson; Yulin Hswen; Gilmer Valdes; Kristefer Stojanovski; Margaret A Handley Journal: Annu Rev Public Health Date: 2021-12-06 Impact factor: 21.981
Authors: Simon I Hay; Emelda A Okiro; Peter W Gething; Anand P Patil; Andrew J Tatem; Carlos A Guerra; Robert W Snow Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2010-06-15 Impact factor: 11.069
Authors: Bruno Moonen; Justin M Cohen; Andy J Tatem; Jessica Cohen; Simon I Hay; Oliver Sabot; David L Smith Journal: Malar J Date: 2010-11-11 Impact factor: 2.979
Authors: Ally Olotu; Gregory Fegan; Thomas N Williams; Philip Sasi; Edna Ogada; Evasius Bauni; Juliana Wambua; Kevin Marsh; Steffen Borrmann; Philip Bejon Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-12-16 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Xinguang Chen; Bonita Stanton; Al Pach; Andrew Nyamete; R Leon Ochiai; Linda Kaljee; Baiqing Dong; Dipika Sur; S K Bhattacharya; Siti Sapardiyah Santoso; Magdarina Agtini; Zahid Memon; Zulfiqar Bhutta; Canh Gia Do; Lorenz von Seidlein; John Clemens Journal: J Health Popul Nutr Date: 2007-12 Impact factor: 2.000