Surveillance
Surveillance
Ongoing systematic collection, analysis,
interpretation & dissemination of health
data in the process of describing &
monitoring a health event.
The information is used for planning
implementing & evaluating public health
interventions & programs.
Information for action
Surveillance
• Inform the public of the need to bring all
suspected measles cases to health
providers.
• Report all suspected measles cases rather
than only confirmed measles cases.
• Investigate every report of suspected case
within 48 hours ( & monitor the percentage
of suspected cases that have been
investigated within 48 hours ).
Action – oriented Surveillance
Objectives & Data
Strategies input
Disease or condition
Of public health
importance
Decisions Data analysis
& Actions & Interpretation
Epidemiological Surveillance
“ The Surveillance Loop ’’
Planning
Modification Implementation
Evaluation
Principles of Surveillance
An effective surveillance system:
• Addresses health events which cause
substantial morbidity &/ or mortality, & which
are amenable to practical control & prevention
• Identifies & correctly classifies a large
proportion of the target health events
• Correctly reflects the distribution of the health
events under surveillance
• Sets out appropriate methods for data
collection ,& for analysis interpretation &
feedback of information.
• Leads to meaningful & effective public
health action based on the data processed
in the system.
• Is uncomplicated & allocates resources
efficiently & effectively.
• Provides information rapidly enough to
allow effective action to be taken .
• Encourages a high level of participation
• Is adaptive & responsive to new needs.
Surveillance is data for action
Were am I going ? disease control objectives
How do I get there ? Strategies
Am I getting there ? Surveillance data
( input& output )
What should I do if :
I am not arriving ? decisions & action
I didn’t arrived ? decisions & action
I did arrive ? decisions & action
Characteristics of useful
Surveillance
1. Simple:
In all components….( case definitions,
notification forms reports….
2. Flexible:
Ability to accommodate changes
3. Acceptable:
From all health providers
4.Sensitive & predictive :
ability to detect cases you intended to
detect ( accurate )
5.Representative:
6. Timeliness :
availability of data in time for appropriate
action
Mechanism for data collection
The mechanism used to obtain data on the
elements previously reviewed are
basically:
O Case Reporting
O Recording
O Rumors
O Epidemiological investigation
O Surveys
TYPES OF DATA USED
Cases & deaths:-
In addition to the total number of cases & /
or deaths, the date & place of occurrence,
age, sex, & occupation of cases are also
noted & recorded
Laboratory results:-
• Confirm cases ( by isolating organisms ,
serology ).
• Detect bacterial resistance to antibiotics &
chemotherapeutic agents.
• Determine levels of immunity in the population.
• Determine the levels of environmental
contamination.
Prevention & control measures:-
Number of patients treated , vaccines applied.
Environmental conditions:-
• Water quality.
• The proportion of the population supplied with
water.
• The coverage of services for garbage &
excreta disposal.
• Levels of air population.
Vectors:-
Types of vector in the area , geographical
distribution , habits, levels of resistance &
susceptibility to insecticides.
Reservoirs:-
Types & distribution of both human & animal
reservoirs.
Population:-
Size of population ; distribution by age , sex
geographical distribution & migratory
patterns.
Characteristics of Public Health
Routine Reporting Systems
1. Relevance
2. Representativeness
3. Flexible
4. Simplicity
5. Completeness
6. Timeliness
7. Accuracy--a) of reporting ; b) of diagnosis
8. cost
Steps to Establish Surveillance
1. Known what is needed
2. Standardize
3. Designate, train & mobilize human
resources
4. Maintain a reverse cold chain for
specimens
5. Ensure that health professionals are
informed.
6. Form expert committee for polio
7. Conduct “ active “ Surveillance
8. Follow-up late or incomplete reports.
9. Analysis , interpret & used data.
10.Send feedback
Epidemiological Surveillance
The on-going systemic collection , analysis , &
interpretation of health data essential to the
planning , implementation , & evaluation of
public health practice, closely integrated with
the timely dissemination of these data to those
who need to know. The final link in the
surveillance chain is the application of these
data to prevention & control.
• Monitoring the percentage of with laboratory
sample taken & with results available within 10
days of collection.
• Monitor indicators for completeness & timeliness
of surveillance.
• Provide regular feedback
• Undertake active case- finding ,particularly in
areas that have not consistently reported , have
reported zero cases for long period of time , or
suspected to be at high risk due to low
immunization coverage or other factors.
THANK YOU
