Evaluation of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance System in Sanyati District, Zimbabwe, 2013

Abstract

A review of the AFP investigation forms for 2012 indicated 4 cases of AFP were investigated in Sanyati District in children less than 15years of age. All the 4 reported AFP cases had forms that were incompletely filled. One case had only one stool specimen collected instead of the recommended two. According to the AFP surveillance guidelines in Zimbabwe the Sanyati district failed to investigate the minimum expected number of suspected AFP cases for the year 2012. Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted. AFP notifications forms for the period January 2009 to December 2012 were reviewed. A total 51 health workers were interviewed. AFP notification forms were reviewed for completeness and timeliness. Data were entered and analysed using Epi Info 7. Health workers interviewed were 51 and 59% were females. Median age in services of health workers was 5 years (Q1=3; Q3=13). A total of 18 health facilities were visited out of 23 in Sanyati district. Those with poor knowledge on AFP surveillance were 5(10%) and most had average knowledge constituting 33(65%). About 42(82%) were using the AFP surveillance data locally. Those that had surveillance meeting at their facilities were 14(28%) and 7% had meeting minutes available. About 28(72%) indicated that AFP surveillance data is being used to plan awareness campaigns for the community.Thirty one percent of the respondents had some public health actions taken based on AFP surveillance data collected. Case definitions were only displayed by 16 clinics. AFP reporting procedure was not available at all the clinics in Sanyati district. Private institutions in Sanyati district were not participating in the AFP surveillance. Knowledge of health workers on the AFP surveillance in Sanyati was average. The AFP surveillance system in Sanyati district is useful, simple, stable and sensitive but however the system is not representative considering that private institutions are not involved in the AFP surveillance system.