Evaluation of the malaria surveillance system – Adaklu District, Volta Region, Ghana, 2019
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Health in Practice
Abstract
Objectives: We evaluated the malaria surveillance system in Adaklu District of the Volta Region of Ghana to
determine if the system was meeting its objectives and assessed its usefulness and attributes.
Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional design was used in evaluating the surveillance system.
Methods: We interviewed stakeholders using a semi-structured questionnaire on case detection and reporting. We
assessed the system attributes using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidelines for
evaluating public health surveillance systems. We extracted and reviewed malaria surveillance data from the
District Health Management Information System 2. Summary statistics and direct content analysis were per formed on quantitative and qualitative data respectively.
Results: Of the 80,441 suspected malaria cases recorded in Adaklu District from 2014 to 2018, 47,917 (59.6%)
cases were confirmed. The system was meeting its objective of detecting malaria cases and monitoring trends in
the population however, the system missed an epidemic in August 2016. Data generated from the surveillance
system is used by the NMCP to aid in the distribution of logistics such as LLINs, RDT test kits, and track malaria
control progress in the district. Staff at all levels were able to detect, confirm, treat and report malaria. All sub districts/health facilities reported to the district and reports were all accurate and timely. The predictive value
positive was 62.9%.
Conclusions: The malaria surveillance system in Adaklu District was useful and meeting its set objective of
monitoring trends of malaria in the population. It was simple, flexible, acceptable and representative; however,
the system was not detecting epidemics. The District Health Management Team should set alert and epidemic
thresholds to help detect promptly epidemics of malaria in the district.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Malaria, Surveillance system, Evaluation, Adaklu, Volta region, Ghana