Assessment of core and support functions of case-based surveillance of meningitis in hospitals in Khartoum state in 2015

Abstract

Case-based surveillance of meningitis was implemented in Khartoum State in February 2013 but its implementation has not been evaluated. This study assessed some core (case confirmation) and support (case reporting and investigation resources) functions of case-based surveillance of meningitis at hospital level in Khartoum State, Sudan, from January to March 2015. An interview questionnaire and checklist were used to collect data from 31 hospitals. A poster containing the case definition of meningitis was fixed to the wall in 18% of the hospitals. Bacteriological culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and antibiotic sensitivity testing of the cultured bacteria were available in one-third of the hospitals. Laboratory personnel trained in CSF examination were present in 29% of the hospitals, while trained reporting unit personnel were present in 52%. A telephone for reporting was present in 74% of the hospitals. The system for casebased surveillance of meningitis needs to be strengthened, particularly the functions related to case confirmation. 2015

A systematic review on improving implementation of the revitalised integrated disease surveillance and response system in the African region: A health workers’ perspective

“…Case confirmation. Four of the 30 reviewed studies recommended strengthened case confirmation capacities [19,36,38,39]. Of these, two studies reported that prompt public health action requires enhanced laboratory capacity [19,36].…”

“…Similarly, laboratory capacity strengthening and prompt specimen collection was recommended in Ghana to ensure adequate surveillance and response preparedness to Ebola [39]. A sub-theme based on a recommendation derived from the reviewed studies alluded to improved specimen handling [38]. Functions relating to case https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248998.g001…”

“…confirmation were absent in health facilities in Khartoum State, hence necessitating need to formulate and distribute protocols for specimen handling specific to meningitis [38].…”

“…Sixty percent (18/30) of studies in the review recommended for enhanced training of health personnel. Three major sub-themes were derived from study recommendations regarding surveillance training and this included improved surveillance system performance [23,33,36], improved surveillance data quality [21,24,25,38,41] and enhanced knowledge on surveillance systems [26,27,29,35,37,40,[45][46][47][48]. Low knowledge on correct forms for reporting notifiable diseases negatively affected timely disease reporting in Zimbabwe [35].…”

“…Health workers' training needs on IDSR system aspects needed addressing to enable proper identification of designated focal surveillance persons in Kenya [37]. In South Sudan, increased health personnel training in hospital reporting units and laboratories would improve meningitis case-based reporting within the surveillance system [38]. Although heath workers in Zimbabwe perceived notifiable disease surveillance system to be simple and easy to use, training was necessary to increase their understanding of IDSR processes and follow up actions.…”