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. 2012 Jun;41(3):676-85.
doi: 10.1093/ije/dys088. Epub 2012 Jun 22.

Profile: the Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System

Amelia C Crampin  1 , Albert Dube, Sebastian Mboma, Alison Price, Menard Chihana, Andreas Jahn, Angela Baschieri, Anna Molesworth, Elnaeus Mwaiyeghele, Keith Branson, Sian Floyd, Nuala McGrath, Paul E M Fine, Neil French, Judith R Glynn, Basia Zaba
Affiliations

Profile: the Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System

Amelia C Crampin et al. Int J Epidemiol. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

The Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Karonga HDSS) in northern Malawi currently has a population of more than 35 000 individuals under continuous demographic surveillance since completion of a baseline census (2002-2004). The surveillance system collects data on vital events and migration for individuals and for households. It also provides data on cause-specific mortality obtained by verbal autopsy for all age groups, and estimates rates of disease for specific presentations via linkage to clinical facility data. The Karonga HDSS provides a structure for surveys of socio-economic status, HIV sero-prevalence and incidence, sexual behaviour, fertility intentions and a sampling frame for other studies, as well as evaluating the impact of interventions, such as antiretroviral therapy and vaccination programmes. Uniquely, it relies on a network of village informants to report vital events and household moves, and furthermore is linked to an archive of biological samples and data from population surveys and other studies dating back three decades.

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Figures

Photograph 1
Photograph 1
Karonga HDSS—survey team recruiting family for survey (written consent obtained from participants). Photograph: Vijay Bansode
Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Location of Karonga district and Karonga HDSS in Malawi; (B) map of Karonga HDSS showing household distribution, primary and secondary roads and location of health facilities; (C) map of Karonga HDSS showing cluster and reporting group boundaries. Data and boundaries from Karonga HDSS databases at end 2011
Photograph 2
Photograph 2
Karonga HDSS—nurse recruiting mother and child for paediatric disease surveillance in health facility (written consent obtained from participants). Photograph: Anna Molesworth
Figure 2
Figure 2
Population pyramid of Karonga HDSS (A) 2004 and (B) 2010. Data represent individuals under observation at the mid-point of these years
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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