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. 2022 Mar 16:41:215.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.215.33712. eCollection 2022.

An evaluation of the notifiable disease surveillance system in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2020: a cross-sectional study

Memory Chimsimbe  1 , Pride Mucheto  2 , Emmanuel Govha  1 , Addmore Chadambuka  1 , Mujinga Karakadzai  3 , Tsitsi Patience Juru  1 , Notion Tafara Gombe  1   4 , Mufuta Tshimanga  1
Affiliations

An evaluation of the notifiable disease surveillance system in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2020: a cross-sectional study

Memory Chimsimbe et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: in 2018-2019 Chegutu District had one notification form Tally 1 (T1) that was completed instead of seven for detected notifiable diseases. Different figures of cholera were reported through weekly rapid disease notification system with 106 patients and Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NDSS) with 111 patients, causing data discrepancy. We evaluated the NDSS to determine reasons for underperformance and data discrepancy.

Methods: we conducted descriptive cross-sectional study using updated centres for disease control and prevention guidelines for surveillance system evaluation. We recruited forty-six health workers. Interviewer-administered questionnaires and checklists were used to collect data on reasons for underperformance, reasons for data discrepancy, knowledge of NDSS, surveillance system attributes and usefulness. Epi InfoTM7 generated frequencies, proportions, and means. Likert scale was used to assess health worker knowledge.

Results: of the forty-six health workers, 34 (78%) had fair knowledge of NDSS. The reason for system underperformance was lack of training in NDSS 42 (91%). Data discrepancy was attributed to typographical mistakes made during data entry on WhatsApp platform 32 (70%). Eighty per cent (37) were willing to complete T1 forms. Six participants who were timed took ten minutes to complete T1 forms. Among 17 health facilities, only three had fifteen T1 forms that were adequate to notify first five cases in an outbreak. Notifiable diseases surveillance system data was used for planning health education 28 (68%).

Conclusion: the NDSS was unstable due to health workers' inadequate knowledge and unavailability of T1 forms. Notifiable diseases surveillance system was found to be simple, acceptable, and useful. We recommended NDSS training of health workers.

Keywords: Surveillance; Zimbabwe; notifiable disease; system attribute.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
the information flow diagram in notifiable disease surveillance system and weekly rapid disease notification system adapted from Zimbabwe health information system strategy (2009-2014)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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