C C Nnebue1, C N Onwasigwe, C C Ibeh, P O U Adogu. 1. Institute of Human Virology/Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Disease surveillance and notification (DSN) has been shown to be weak in Nigeria, thus, its inability to promptly detect and control epidemics. OBJECTIVE: To examine the completeness and timeliness of data collection and information transmission process for DSN in the Anambra state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was of cross-sectional design and employed the multistage sampling method to select 270 health workers who are involved in DSN in Anambra state. Data were collected by a mix method of interviewer administered questionnaire and observational checklist preceded by key informant interviews and desk review. RESULTS: One hundred (43.9%) health workers reported regular supply of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) forms, 25% and 16.2% reported it was irregular and usually out of stock, respectively. Most facilities (81.5%) returned completed forms monthly. Secondary health facilities were less likely to submit completed forms, while majority of primary health facilities submitted theirs monthly ( X 2 = 4.42, P = 0.035). With respect to correctness of records, Health Management Information System records (55.6%) were the least correct, while out-patient register (88.9%) was the most correct. Only 10.0% of health facilities submitted completed forms 5 days after completion, 88.9% of them submitted completed IDSR002 forms within 2 days of completion, while the remainder was submitted 4 days later. CONCLUSION: The health workers were not operating the DSN system in the State to optimal functionality. Recommendations were therefore made for the periodic training-retraining of health personnel on DSN, improved funding, provision of logistics, improved supervision, and feedback of information.
BACKGROUND: Disease surveillance and notification (DSN) has been shown to be weak in Nigeria, thus, its inability to promptly detect and control epidemics. OBJECTIVE: To examine the completeness and timeliness of data collection and information transmission process for DSN in the Anambra state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was of cross-sectional design and employed the multistage sampling method to select 270 health workers who are involved in DSN in Anambra state. Data were collected by a mix method of interviewer administered questionnaire and observational checklist preceded by key informant interviews and desk review. RESULTS: One hundred (43.9%) health workers reported regular supply of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) forms, 25% and 16.2% reported it was irregular and usually out of stock, respectively. Most facilities (81.5%) returned completed forms monthly. Secondary health facilities were less likely to submit completed forms, while majority of primary health facilities submitted theirs monthly ( X 2 = 4.42, P = 0.035). With respect to correctness of records, Health Management Information System records (55.6%) were the least correct, while out-patient register (88.9%) was the most correct. Only 10.0% of health facilities submitted completed forms 5 days after completion, 88.9% of them submitted completed IDSR002 forms within 2 days of completion, while the remainder was submitted 4 days later. CONCLUSION: The health workers were not operating the DSN system in the State to optimal functionality. Recommendations were therefore made for the periodic training-retraining of health personnel on DSN, improved funding, provision of logistics, improved supervision, and feedback of information.
Authors: G Benedetti; M Mossoko; J P Nyakio Kakusu; J Nyembo; J P Mangion; D Van Laeken; R Van den Bergh; W Van den Boogaard; M Manzi; W K Kibango; V Hermans; J Beijnsberger; V Lambert; E Kitenge Journal: Public Health Action Date: 2016-06-21
Authors: Ali Janati; Mozhgan Hosseiny; Mohammad Mehdi Gouya; Ghobad Moradi; Ebrahim Ghaderi Journal: Iran J Public Health Date: 2015-11 Impact factor: 1.429