Abstract
IntroductionTuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death from an infectious illness globally with an estimated 10.4 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths in 2015. In Ghana, from the 2013 TB prevalence survey conducted by the National Tuberculosis Control Programme, the incidence is estimated as 165 per 100,000 population and a mortality rate of 7.5 per 1,000 infected people. The Tuberculosis surveillance system is part of the general framework of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response. This evaluation was to assess whether the system is meeting its set objectives, assess its usefulness and describe its attributes.MethodsThe TB surveillance system of the Ashaiman municipality was evaluated using Centre for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems 2006. Records review from 2014 to 2016 was done to assess objectives of the system and surveillance data source of 2016 was used to assess attributes. Interviews were conducted at the various levels using semi-structured questionnaire and data analysis done with Epi info 7 and Microsoft Excel to run frequencies and percentages.ResultsThe surveillance system is well structured with standardized data collection tools. The system was found to be useful, though it just partially met its objectives. It was also found to be simple, flexible and fairly stable with average timeliness. It had low acceptability and is not geographically representative. It had low sensitivity of 45/100,000 and a low predictive value positive of 6.6%.ConclusionThe surveillance system was found to be useful but partially met its objectives. There is the need to improve the sensitivity, predictive value positive timeliness and acceptability.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death from an infectious illness globally with an estimated 10.4 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths in 2015
These stakeholders engaged in the evaluation of the surveillance system included the municipal director of health services, Medical Superintendent for Ashaiman polyclinic, district disease control officer, a medical officer at Ashaiman polyclinic, Direct Observed Therapy (DOT) corner nurses, district nutrition officer, institutional TB coordinators, biomedical scientists, laboratory technicians, community based surveillance volunteers, health information officer and the task shifting oficer
The findings of the evaluation shows that the TB surveillance system of Ashaiman municipality is well structured with specific roles assigned to different stakeholders and with good channels of communication
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death from an infectious illness globally with an estimated 10.4 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths in 2015. This evaluation was to assess whether the system is meeting its set objectives, assess its usefulness and describe its attributes. Public health surveillance is a critical element in disease prevention and control, providing essential epidemiological data on which public health action can be based. Such data, identify areas of need for intervention, research and policy change, but can be used to evaluate the impact of these actions [18]. Surveillance evaluation seeks to ascertain whether a health event is monitored efficiently, and how well the purpose and objectives of the system is being met [19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
