Developing monitoring and evaluation tools for event-based surveillance: experience from Vietnam

Clara, Alexey; Dao, Anh Tuan; Mounts, Anthony W.; Bernadotte, Christina; Nguyen, Hoai-Son; Tran, Quy M.; Tran, Quang; Dang, Tan Q.; Merali, Sharifa; Balajee, S. Arunmozhi; Trang, Thuy

doi:10.1186/s12992-020-00567-2

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…This is potentially the cause of concern about the limited contribution of EBS to the general surveillance. Experience from the pilot project in Vietnam showed that presence of structured data and reports were valuable for the MOH to understand the function of the EBS program and the success and challenges of implementing EBS (20).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure, functions, Performance and Gaps of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) in Sudan, 2021: A Cross-Sectional Review

Malik

Abdullah

Mohammed

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Event-based surveillance (EBS) is an essential component of Early Warning Alert and Response (EWAR) as per the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005. EBS was established in Sudan in 2016 as a complementary system for Indicator-based surveillance (IBS). This review will provide an overview of the current EBS structure, functions and performance in Sudan and identify the gaps and ways forward. Methods The review followed the WHO/EMRO guidelines and tools. Structured discussions, observation and review of records and guidelines were done at national and state levels. Community volunteers were interviewed through phone calls. Directors of Health Emergency and Epidemic Control, surveillance officers and focal persons for EBS at the state level were also interviewed. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, and the qualitative data were analysed using a thematic analysis, paying particular attention to the health system level allowing for an exploration of how and why experiences differ across levels. Written and verbal consents were obtained from all participants as appropriate. Results Sudan has a functioning EBS; however, there is an underestimation of its contribution and importance at the national and states levels. The link between the national level and states is ad hoc or is driven by the need for reports. While community event-based surveillance (CEBS) is functioning, EBS from health facilities and from non-health sectors is not currently active. The integration of EBS into overall surveillance was not addressed, and the pathway from detection to action is not clear. The use of electronic databases and platforms is generally limited. Factors that would improve performance include training, the presence of a trained focal person at state level, and regular follow-up from the national level. Factors such as staff turnover, income in relation to expenses and not having a high training degree (Diploma or MSc) were noticed as inhibiting factors. Conclusion The review recommended revisiting the surveillance structure at national and state levels to put EBS as an essential component and to update guidelines and standard operation procedures SOPs to foster the integration between EBS components and the overall surveillance system. The need for strengthening the link with states, capacity building and re-addressing the training modalities was highlighted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure, functions, Performance and Gaps of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) in Sudan, 2021: A Cross-Sectional Review

Malik

Abdullah

Mohammed

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…44,45 Training on case detection, notification, investigation, data analysis, and response was deemed lacking in several countries including Lao PDR, Mongolia, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands. 11,12,17,43,44,80 Implemented in Lao PDR, the global data analysis and use training program called Stop Transmission of Polio Immunization and Surveillance Data Specialists, enabled building capacity on the management, analysis, and use of immunization and VPD surveillance data among the workforce at the subnational levels. 41 In addition, trainings organized by the WHO WPRO have been progressively more integrated across VPDs, emphasizing cross-cutting competencies, namely immunization and VPD surveillance data management, analysis, and use for tailored action, as conducted in Vietnam and Lao PDR.…”

Section: Workforce Capacitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance in the Western Pacific Region: A Literature Review on Integration of Surveillance Functions, 2000–2021

Donadel

Scobie

Pastore

et al. 2022

Glob Health Sci Pract

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We document factors that influenced integrating surveillance functions for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and other communicable diseases in the Western Pacific Region (WPR).n Barriers included insufficient coordination within the public and private sectors, inadequate engagement of national Expanded Program on Immunization programs, lack of surveillance and laboratory capacity, inability to link epidemiologic and laboratory data, and suboptimal scope and design of surveillance systems for achieving control and elimination goals.n Best practices and innovations included developing guidelines for integrated VPD surveillance, standardizing processes for laboratory surveillance and testing of multiple VPDs, using multiplex testing for multiple diseases, and conducting joint epidemiology and laboratory surveillance data review meetings.

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“…Evaluating an EBS system is challenging [2,3]. We previously evaluated EBS systems in Vietnam using mixed methods that included 1) a retrospective data collection table sent electronically to all districts to collect logbook time stamps for event notification and response, 2) questionnaires sent electronically to all levels with acceptability and sustainability related questions and 3) key informant interviews and focus group discussions through field visits [10,11,16]. Evaluations showed that the pilot EBS worked as an effective early warning system for Vietnam.…”

Section: National Pheocmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vietnam has four administrative health regions; each has a regional public health institute that is responsible for technical direction and supervision of surveillance and response to diseases and outbreaks in that region [10,11]. Within each region, provincial centers for disease control lead surveillance and response activities in their respective provinces; in turn, district health centers within provinces coordinate district-level public health activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It includes ad hoc direct reporting of signals from designated officials in health care facilities and community health workers who are in contact with key informants that live in the community. A comprehensive evaluation of the EBS project was conducted after a pilot in six provinces [10,11,16]. Data from the evaluation were used to make improvements to the program before its subsequent national roll-out.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Testing early warning and response systems through a full-scale exercise in Vietnam

et al. 2021

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Background Simulation exercises can functionally validate World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) core capacities. In 2018, the Vietnam Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted a full-scale exercise (FSX) in response to cases of severe viral pneumonia with subsequent laboratory confirmation for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to evaluate the country’s early warning and response capabilities for high-risk events. Methods An exercise planning team designed a complex fictitious scenario beginning with one case of severe viral pneumonia presenting at the hospital level and developed all the materials required for the exercise. Actors, controllers and evaluators were trained. In August 2018, a 3-day exercise was conducted in Quang Ninh province and Hanoi city, with participation of public health partners at the community, district, province, regional and national levels. Immediate debriefings and an after-action review were conducted after all exercise activities. Participants assessed overall exercise design, conduction and usefulness. Results FSX findings demonstrated that the event-based surveillance component of the MOH surveillance system worked optimally at different administrative levels. Detection and reporting of signals at the community and health facility levels were appropriate. Triage, verification and risk assessment were successfully implemented to identify a high-risk event and trigger timely response. The FSX identified infection control, coordination with internal and external response partners and process documentation as response challenges. Participants positively evaluated the exercise training and design. Conclusions This exercise documents the value of exercising surveillance capabilities as part of a real-time operational scenario before facing a true emergency. The timing of this exercise and choice of disease scenario was particularly fortuitous given the subsequent appearance of COVID-19. As a result of this exercise and subsequent improvements made by the MOH, the country may have been better able to deal with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and contain it.

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Developing monitoring and evaluation tools for event-based surveillance: experience from Vietnam

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

Structure, functions, Performance and Gaps of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) in Sudan, 2021: A Cross-Sectional Review

Structure, functions, Performance and Gaps of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) in Sudan, 2021: A Cross-Sectional Review

Comprehensive Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance in the Western Pacific Region: A Literature Review on Integration of Surveillance Functions, 2000–2021

Testing early warning and response systems through a full-scale exercise in Vietnam

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