Feasibility of implementing recommendations to improve communicable diseases surveillance - a modified Delphi study

Abstract

Background: Effective control of communicable diseases requires an effective disease surveillance system (CDSS) which provides information for action on priority communicable diseases. It is the basis for public health decision-making worldwide. Implementation of any public health recommendations for improving a disease surveillance system depends on the acceptability of such recommendations by the relevant stakeholders and the feasibility of implementing the recommendations in practice. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and the feasibility of recommended improvements in CDSS among relevant stakeholders in Khartoum state. Methods: A Delphi consensus process was used in the form of three analytical written rounds and individual face-to-face discussions among relevant stakeholders in Khartoum state to study the feasibility of the recommended improvements in CDSS in Khartoum state. Resultss: The stakeholders in Khartoum state agreed with most of our statements to improve the CDSS core activities, supportive functions and quality in Khartoum State, and that the existing CDSS in Khartoum state needs to be strengthened with more effective coordination at different levels. Regarding the feasibility of implementing our recommendations, the results of our Delphi survey suggest neither expanding CDSS system, nor including vertical programmes; formulation of updated objectives; improving data management and feedback; strengthening epidemic management, as well as the quality of the system in terms of timeliness, completeness and acceptability. Conclusion: This study added strength to our recommendations, based on two previous studies assessing the CDSS in Khartoum state. The Ministry of Health in Khartoum state can implement our consensus recommendations to improve the CDSS system in the future in order to achieve its targeted goals

Infectious diseases prioritisation for event-based surveillance at the European Union level for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

“…Therefore, in preparation for the 2012 Games, we reviewed projects executed for different public health topics but using similar prioritisation methodologies [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

“…To this end, the generic expert team opted for a multilevel approach including the selection of infectious diseases for prioritisation, qualitative scoring of diseases using a consensus-building Delphi method and a risk matrix [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Implementation Level of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) as Surveillance Core Capacity Under International Health Regulation in Sudan, 2020: Cross-Sectional Study

“…This is typically done for COVID-19; however there is no system to tell about the exact number of facilities which reported as having zero cases. A study conducted in Khartoum state in 2010 to assess the surveillance activities and functions found out that, despite the good knowledge and data reporting there were poor analysis, preparedness, feedback, documentation, and system update [4]. The surveillance system was also found to be not representative, as it did not include the private, military, and teaching hospitals and facilities in most states.…”

Effect of implementation of community–based surveillance initiative approach and the role of volunteers in reflecting the epidemiological situation in Algableen locality - White Nile states Sudan, 2020: Cross-sectional study.

“…Community-based surveillance (CBS): While it may be de ned differently in different countries (e.g., community health surveillance, community event-based surveillance), community-based surveillance is the systematic detection and reporting of events of public health signi cance within a community, by community members. Community health volunteers, the public, religious leaders, civil society members, teachers, and similar groups are engaged and trained to detect and immediately report unusual health events or health risks occurring in their communities (3) Indicator-based surveillance (IBS): De ned by WHO as the systematic (regular) collection, monitoring, analysis, and interpretation of structured data, i.e., of indicators produced by several well-identi ed, mostly health-based, formal sour (4).…”