Conference abstract
Measles surveillance system evaluation, Ga West, Ghana-2017
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2017:3(116).01
Nov 2017.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2017.3.116.476
Archived on: 01 Nov 2017
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Measles, surveillance data, system attributes
Oral presentation
Measles surveillance system evaluation, Ga West, Ghana-2017
Emmanuel Kwame Tender1,&, Stephen Atasige1, Edwin Afari1, Ernest Kenu1, Samuel Oko Sackey1, Donne Ameme1, Priscillia Nortey1
1Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, Ghana
&Corresponding author
Emmanuel Kwame Tender, Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Accra, Ghana
Introduction: measles, although a vaccine preventable disease, poses a threat to the lives of many children worldwide. In 2015, measles death toll of 134,200 was recorded globally with 95 percent of these deaths occurring in developing countries. In Ghana, measles is one of the diseases earmarked for elimination in the Integrated Disease Surveillance Response strategy. The measles surveillance system seeks to monitor trends, detect outbreaks and report timely. We evaluated the Ga West Municipality measles surveillance system to determine its effectiveness, usefulness and to assess its attributes.
Methods: we interviewed surveillance officers on system operations and use of measles case definition. We abstracted and reviewed 2012-2016 measles surveillance data. Case investigation forms and IDSR weekly and monthly reporting forms were reviewed for number of cases and completeness. Data was analyzed descriptively to generate frequencies and relative frequencies. CDC updated guidelines for surveillance system evaluation was used to assess the system attributes.
Results: a suspected measles case was any person with fever and maculopapular rash. Of the 48 suspected case-patients, 39 (81.0%) were investigated with none testing positive for measles IgM; predictive value positive (PVP) of 0%. Out of those tested, 22 (56.4%) had no record on vaccination status. All the tested samples were received at the laboratory within stipulated three days and 18 (46.2%) were reported to the National Disease Surveillance Department within seven days. No outbreak was reported during the period. Data is used to guide routine and supplementary immunization activities. None of the private health facilities reported cases.
Conclusion: Ga West Municipality measles surveillance system is useful and partially meeting its objectives. It is simple, sensitive, but of low PVP, timeliness and representativeness. Data quality and representativeness also need improvement. Municipal health officials have been sensitized on private sector participation and need for quality and timely data.
