Monitoring immunization coverage in the Sudan

Abstract

The Sudan Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) achieved considerable progress by doubling the coverage of the immunization of the target population each year from 1985 with the key indicator antigen measles reaching 22% in 1987. The coverage monitoring system was conceived in 1986 and by using microcomputers EPI-Track a system was developed to form the core of a larger EPI management information system. Data on the target population and monthly immunizations performed were utilized for describing the monitoring effort. The system was designed for a district regional and national organizational structure. The target population of children from birth to 11 months of age was derived from the 1983 Sudan census data and population projections from 1984 onward. Immunization data were entered monthly on a district basis using the records of individual immunization teams. The Informix database management system software was used for control of data as well as Lotus 123 for graphics. EPI-Track ran on microcomputers connected to 2 computers in a local area network (LAN). A number of output reports were produced. The District Report collated records of the individual immunization teams showing the monthly immunization performance by age and antigen of the target populations of children 0-11 months old and pregnant women. The drop-off rates from DPT1 to 3 OPV1 to 3 and TT1 to 2 were automatically calculated. The EPI-Track also calculated for each dose/antigen combination those immunized in the optimum age range as percentage of all children immunized. The Regional Report collated data from each district in the region and the National Report collated from each district in the country. The Cumulative Report was generated for 3 levels of reporting: quarterly and half-year reports late data added for the following 11 months and annualized cumulative report. Special Reports could also be generated for comparing regions. Evaluation criteria could also be incorporated into the system.