An Electronic Disease Early Warning System in Sana'a Governorate, Yemen: Evaluation Study.

Yousef Khader,Reema Alyusfi,Ali Assabri,Mona Mayad

doi:10.2196/14295

Abstract

BackgroundElectronic Disease Early Warning System (eDEWS) is one of the effective programs in epidemiological surveillance.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of eDEWS in Sana’a governorate, determine its usefulness, and assess its performance in terms of the system attributes, including simplicity, flexibility, data quality, acceptability, representativeness, timeliness, and stability.MethodsUpdated guidelines on the evaluation of public health surveillance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used to evaluate the eDEWS in Sana’a governorate. Stakeholders from different levels were interviewed about the performance of the eDEWS.ResultsThe overall score for the usefulness of the eDEWS was good (mean=83%). The overall system performance was good (86%). The highest attribute score was 100% for representativeness and the lowest score was 70% for stability. The system simplicity and acceptability were good. Although the system representativeness and flexibility were excellent, the stability was average. System completeness and timeliness were 100%.ConclusionsIn conclusion, eDEWS in Yemen is useful and met its main objective. The overall level of system performance was good.

Highlights

Communicable diseases remain the most common cause of death, disability, and illness in many developing countries [1]
Electronic Diseases Early Warning System is an electronic system for data collection, compilation, and analysis from the health facilities to detect outbreaks at an early stage and take necessary response measures to prevent or limit disease occurrence. This can minimize the morbidity and mortality owing to communicable diseases through the detection of potential outbreaks at their earliest possible stage and facilitate timely interventions [2,3]. Electronic Disease Early Warning System (eDEWS) is based on a mobile app
The eDEWS is a program in the Diseases Control and Surveillance Directorate

Summary

Introduction

Background Communicable diseases remain the most common cause of death, disability, and illness in many developing countries [1]. Electronic Diseases Early Warning System (eDEWS) is an electronic system for data collection, compilation, and analysis from the health facilities to detect outbreaks at an early stage and take necessary response measures to prevent or limit disease occurrence. This can minimize the morbidity and mortality owing to communicable diseases through the detection of potential outbreaks at their earliest possible stage and facilitate timely interventions [2,3]. Increase in the number of patients with diseases of public health concern can be spotted more quickly, enabling prompt follow-up action [4]. Electronic Disease Early Warning System (eDEWS) is one of the effective programs in epidemiological surveillance

Methods

Results

Conclusion