A Guide for Reporting Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Data in National Public Health Bulletins Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

In Africa, public health surveillance has been challenging. ² The region is often faced with the failure to detect and respond to epidemics which is due to their health systems and, development and implementation of surveillance and response. ² Multiple vertical systems creates fragmented data which adds to these challenges. ² In response to these challenges in Africa, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) guidelines were adopted in 1998. ² The IDSR guidelines detail “thresholds for action on priority diseases, public health events and conditions for responding to alerts” and introduced concepts of indictor-based and event-based surveillance as incorporated into IDSR. ³ Additionally, they define and illustrate the different types and approaches of public health surveillance.

The goal of IDSR was to be “comprehensive, integrated, [and] action-oriented”. ² One core function of IDSR is the dissemination of public health data in epidemiologic bulletins, ² much like that of the “Bill of Mortality”. ¹ Of the 47 Member States in Africa, ^4,5 and estimated two thirds (68%) share surveillance data through the feedback mechanism of IDSR. ²

At present, the IDSR Guidelines provide limited guidance on how epidemiologic bulletins should be structured, what requirements must be met, and how data should be presented. Currently, published bulletins exhibit a myriad of inconsistencies such as the number of diseases reported, types of graphs and tables used, data visualizations and frequency of publication.

This special studies thesis project aims to create a standardized template for the implementation of WHO AFRO MS that integrates optimal methods and best practices for displaying data and data visualizations and establishes clear components and structure for how to present IDSR data published in PHBs. The template encourages better analysis and interpretation of IDSR data to optimize action and response in the case of a public health threat.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

1.1 Rationale for Project 1

1.2 Problem Statement 2

1.3 Purpose Statement 2

Chapter 2: Literature Review 3

2.1 Disease in the World Health Organization African ( WHO AFRO) Region 3

2.2 Public Health Surveillance (PHS) 3

2.3 IHR 2005 4

2.4 IDSR 5

2.4.1 IDSR Functions 5

2.4.2 Current Status of IDSR Implementation in WHO AFRO 6

2.4.3 IDSR Feedback Function 7

2.4.4 Gaps with Current IDSR Approach 8

Chapter 3: Methods 9

Chapter 4: Discussion 11

4.1 Conclusion 11

4.2 Limitations 12

4.3 Recommendations 12

References 14

Appendix 1 16

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Public Health Bulletin Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Disease Surveillance
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	McNabb JN, Scott, Emory University
Committee Members	Kebede, Senait, Emory University

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