scholarly journals Systematic review of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) implementation in the African region

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0245457
Author(s):  
Caitlin M. Wolfe ◽  
Esther L. Hamblion ◽  
Emmanuel K. Dzotsi ◽  
Franck Mboussou ◽  
Isabelle Eckerle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
African Region ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
Data Reporting ◽  
Surveillance And Response

Background The WHO African region frequently experiences outbreaks and epidemics of infectious diseases often exacerbated by weak health systems and infrastructure, late detection, and ineffective outbreak response. To address this, the WHO Regional Office for Africa developed and began implementing the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy in 1998. Objectives This systematic review aims to document the identified successes and challenges surrounding the implementation of IDSR in the region available in published literature to highlight areas for prioritization, further research, and to inform further strengthening of IDSR implementation. Methods A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published in English and French from 1 July 2012 to 13 November 2019 was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science. Included articles focused on the WHO African region and discussed the use of IDSR strategies and implementation, assessment of IDSR strategies, or surveillance of diseases covered in the IDSR framework. Data were analyzed descriptively using Microsoft Excel and Tableau Desktop 2019. Results The number of peer-reviewed articles discussing IDSR remained low, with 47 included articles focused on 17 countries and regional level systems. Most commonly discussed topics were data reporting (n = 39) and challenges with IDSR implementation (n = 38). Barriers to effective implementation were identified across all IDSR core and support functions assessed in this review: priority disease detection; data reporting, management, and analysis; information dissemination; laboratory functionality; and staff training. Successful implementation was noted where existing surveillance systems and infrastructure were utilized and streamlined with efforts to increase access to healthcare. Conclusions and implications of findings These findings highlighted areas where IDSR is performing well and where implementation remains weak. While challenges related to IDSR implementation since the first edition of the technical guidelines were released are not novel, adequately addressing them requires sustained investments in stronger national public health capabilities, infrastructure, and surveillance processes.

scholarly journals Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy: current status, challenges and perspectives for the future in Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. e001427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahima Socé Fall ◽  
Soatiana Rajatonirina ◽  
Ali Ahmed Yahaya ◽  
Yoti Zabulon ◽  
Peter Nsubuga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
African Region ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Monthly Bulletin ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Event Based

In 1998, the WHO African region adopted a strategy called Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR). Here, we present the current status of IDSR implementation; and provide some future perspectives for enhancing the IDSR strategy in Africa.In 2017, we used two data sources to compile information on the status of IDSR implementation: a pretested rapid assessment questionnaire sent out biannually to all countries and quarterly compilation of data for two IDSR key performance indicators (KPI). The first KPI measures country IDSR performance and the second KPI tracks the number of countries that the WHO secretariat supports to scale up IDSR. The KPI data for 2017 were compared with a retrospective baseline for 2014.By December 2017, 44 of 47 African countries (94%) were implementing IDSR. Of the 44 countries implementing IDSR, 40 (85%) had initiated IDSR training at subnational level; 32 (68%) had commenced community-based surveillance; 35 (74%) had event-based surveillance; 33 (70%) had electronic IDSR; and 32 (68%) had a weekly/monthly bulletin for sharing IDSR data. Thirty-two countries (68%) had achieved the timeliness and completeness threshold of at least 80% of the reporting units. However, only 12 countries (26%) had the desired target of at least 90% IDSR implementation coverage at the peripheral level.After 20 years of implementing IDSR, there are major achievements in the indicator-based surveillance systems. However, major gaps were identified in event-based surveillance. All African countries should enhance IDSR everywhere.

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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Kipkemoi Saitabau Ng'etich ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Ruth C Kirinyet ◽  
Clifford M Mutero
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
World Health ◽  
African Region ◽  
Specimen Handling ◽  
Surveillance And Response

Background: The revised integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) guidelines adopted by African member states in 2010 aimed at strengthening surveillance systems critical capacities. Milestones achieved through IDSR strategy implementation prior to adopting the revised guidelines are well documented, however, there is a dearth of knowledge on the progress made post-adoption. This study aimed to review key recommendations resulting from surveillance assessment studies to improve implementation of the revitalised IDSR system in the African region based on health workers perspectives. The review focused on literature published between 2010 and 2019 post-adopting the revised IDSR guidelines in the African region. Methods: A systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature was conducted. In addition, manual reference searches and grey literature searches using World Health Organization Library and Information Networks for Knowledge databases were undertaken. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement checklist for systematic reviews was utilised for the review process. Results: Thirty assessment studies met the inclusion criteria. IDSR implementation under the revised guidelines could be improved considerably bearing in mind critical findings and recommendations emanating from the reviewed surveillance assessment studies. Key recommendations alluded to provision of laboratory facilities and improved specimen handling, provision of reporting forms and improved reporting quality, surveillance data accuracy and quality, improved knowledge and surveillance system performance, utilisation of up-to-date information and surveillance system strengthening, provision of resources, enhanced reporting timeliness and completeness, adopting alternative surveillance strategies and conducting further research. Conclusion: Recommendations on strengthening IDSR implementation in the African region post-adopting the revised guidelines mainly identify surveillance functions focused on reporting, feedback, training, supervision, timeliness and completeness of the surveillance system as aspects requiring policy refinement. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42019124108.

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

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248998
Author(s):  
Arthur K. S. Ng’etich ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Ruth C. Kirinyet ◽  
Clifford M. Mutero
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
World Health ◽  
African Region ◽  
Specimen Handling ◽  
Surveillance And Response

Background The revised integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) guidelines adopted by African member states in 2010 aimed at strengthening surveillance systems critical capacities. Milestones achieved through IDSR strategy implementation prior to adopting the revised guidelines are well documented; however, there is a dearth of knowledge on the progress made post-adoption. This study aimed to review key recommendations resulting from surveillance assessment studies to improve implementation of the revitalised IDSR system in the African region based on health workers’ perspectives. The review focused on literature published between 2010 and 2019 post-adopting the revised IDSR guidelines in the African region. Methods A systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature was conducted. In addition, manual reference searches and grey literature searches using World Health Organisation Library and Information Networks for Knowledge databases were undertaken. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement checklist for systematic reviews was utilised for the review process. Results Thirty assessment studies met the inclusion criteria. IDSR implementation under the revised guidelines could be improved considerably bearing in mind critical findings and recommendations emanating from the reviewed surveillance assessment studies. Key recommendations alluded to provision of laboratory facilities and improved specimen handling, provision of reporting forms and improved reporting quality, surveillance data accuracy and quality, improved knowledge and surveillance system performance, utilisation of up-to-date information and surveillance system strengthening, provision of resources, enhanced reporting timeliness and completeness, adopting alternative surveillance strategies and conducting further research to improve surveillance functions. Conclusion Recommendations on strengthening IDSR implementation in the African region post-adopting the revised guidelines mainly identify surveillance functions focused on reporting, feedback, training, supervision, timeliness and completeness of the surveillance system as aspects requiring policy refinement. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42019124108.

scholarly journals Pandemics of the future: Disease surveillance in real time

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance System ◽  
Epidemiological Modeling ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
The Future

This paper explores disease surveillance systems in relation to preparedness, a security paradigm that strives to make future catastrophic events available for “real time” intervention in the present. I examine three different disease surveillance systems — the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, which is composed of physical laboratories and online information dissemination tools; Flu Trends, an algorithmic syndromic surveillance system; and EpiSimS and EpiCast, agent-based epidemiological modeling platforms—in relation to three different temporal logics of preparedness—tracking, anticipating, and projecting. These logical modulations all reflect different temporalities of preparedness, or different ways of making the future present, and there are two important implications of my attention to these logics. First, I argue these disease surveillance systems extend surveillance from the present into the future, constructing the very catastrophic threats for which they seek to prepare. Second, I argue the concept of “real time” on which preparedness depends arises from the technologies that construct this particular understanding of temporality. What’s more, the “real time” these systems construct is never the instantaneous erasure of the present; instead, I emphasize real time as multiple, as the proliferation of the present. At stake is an understanding of the ways in which preparedness establishes its own authority to make the future present by creating the very condition of unpreparedness it works to remedy.

scholarly journals Assessment of the core and support functions of the integrated disease surveillance and response system in Zanzibar, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Saleh ◽  
Jovin Kitau ◽  
Flemming Konradsen ◽  
Leonard E. G. Mboera ◽  
Karin L. Schiøler
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Outbreak Detection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
The Core ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Facility Level

Abstract Background Disease surveillance is a cornerstone of outbreak detection and control. Evaluation of a disease surveillance system is important to ensure its performance over time. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the core and support functions of the Zanzibar integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) system to determine its capacity for early detection of and response to infectious disease outbreaks. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 10 districts of Zanzibar and 45 public and private health facilities. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data. This included document review, observations and interviews with surveillance personnel using a modified World Health Organization generic questionnaire for assessing national disease surveillance systems. Results The performance of the IDSR system in Zanzibar was suboptimal particularly with respect to early detection of epidemics. Weak laboratory capacity at all levels greatly hampered detection and confirmation of cases and outbreaks. None of the health facilities or laboratories could confirm all priority infectious diseases outlined in the Zanzibar IDSR guidelines. Data reporting was weakest at facility level, while data analysis was inadequate at all levels (facility, district and national). The performance of epidemic preparedness and response was generally unsatisfactory despite availability of rapid response teams and budget lines for epidemics in each district. The support functions (supervision, training, laboratory, communication and coordination, human resources, logistic support) were inadequate particularly at the facility level. Conclusions The IDSR system in Zanzibar is weak and inadequate for early detection and response to infectious disease epidemics. The performance of both core and support functions are hampered by several factors including inadequate human and material resources as well as lack of motivation for IDSR implementation within the healthcare delivery system. In the face of emerging epidemics, strengthening of the IDSR system, including allocation of adequate resources, should be a priority in order to safeguard human health and economic stability across the archipelago of Zanzibar.

scholarly journals Twenty Years of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Effective Management of Infectious Disease Epidemics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Mremi ◽  
Janeth George ◽  
Susan F. Rumisha ◽  
Calvin Sindato ◽  
Leonard E.G. Mboera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Management Information System ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Disease Epidemics

Abstract Background: Public health surveillance requires valid, timely and complete health information for early detection of outbreaks. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) adopted Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy in 1998 in response to an increased frequency of emerging and re-emerging diseases in the region. This systematic review aimed to analyse how IDSR implementation has embraced advancement in information technology, big data analytics techniques and wealth of data sources to strengthen detection and management of infectious disease epidemics in SSA. Methods: A search for eligible articles was done through HINARI, PubMed, and advanced Google Scholar databases. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols checklist. Using the key search descriptors, 1,809 articles were identified and screened at two stages and 45 studies met the inclusion criteria for detailed review.Results: Of the 45 studies, 35 were country-specific, seven studies covered the region and three studies covered 3-4 countries. A total of 24 studies assessed the IDSR core functions while 42 studies assessed the support functions. Twenty-three studies addressed both the core and support functions. Most of the studies involved Tanzania (9), Ghana (6) and Uganda (5). The implementation of the IDSR strategy has shown improvements mainly in the support functions. The Health Management Information System (HMIS) has remained the main source of IDSR data. However, the HMIS system is characterised by inadequate data completeness, timeliness, quality, analysis and utilisation as well as lack of integration of data from sources other than health care facilities. Conclusion: In most SSA, HMIS is the main source of IDSR data, characterised by incompleteness, inconsistency and inaccuracy. This data is considered to be biased and reflects only the population seeking care from healthcare facilities. Community-based event-based surveillance is weak and non-existence in the majority of the countries. Data from other systems are not effectively utilized and integrated for surveillance. It is recommended that SSA countries consider and adopt multi-sectoral, multi-disease and multi-indicator platforms that integrate the existing surveillance systems with other sources of health information to provide support to effective detection and prompt response to public health threats.

scholarly journals Twenty years of integrated disease surveillance and response in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities for effective management of infectious disease epidemics

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene R. Mremi ◽  
Janeth George ◽  
Susan F. Rumisha ◽  
Calvin Sindato ◽  
Sharadhuli I. Kimera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Health Management Information System ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Introduction This systematic review aimed to analyse the performance of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and how its implementation has embraced advancement in information technology, big data analytics techniques and wealth of data sources. Methods HINARI, PubMed, and advanced Google Scholar databases were searched for eligible articles. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols. Results A total of 1,809 articles were identified and screened at two stages. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 35 were country-specific, seven covered the SSA region, and three covered 3–4 countries. Twenty-six studies assessed the IDSR core functions, 43 the support functions, while 24 addressed both functions. Most of the studies involved Tanzania (9), Ghana (6) and Uganda (5). The routine Health Management Information System (HMIS), which collects data from health care facilities, has remained the primary source of IDSR data. However, the system is characterised by inadequate data completeness, timeliness, quality, analysis and utilisation, and lack of integration of data from other sources. Under-use of advanced and big data analytical technologies in performing disease surveillance and relating multiple indicators minimises the optimisation of clinical and practice evidence-based decision-making. Conclusions This review indicates that most countries in SSA rely mainly on traditional indicator-based disease surveillance utilising data from healthcare facilities with limited use of data from other sources. It is high time that SSA countries consider and adopt multi-sectoral, multi-disease and multi-indicator platforms that integrate other sources of health information to provide support to effective detection and prompt response to public health threats.

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