Health Policy Issues and Health Programmes in ... - Amazon S3

Use of Epidemiological Surveillance Data for Programme ManagementSteps of Epidemiological SurveillanceThe purpose of collecting data must be the production of information; unfortunately, this doesnot always happen, either because the data is inappropriate or because it is stored in a way thatmakes the extraction of information too difficult. Therefore, careful thought must be given to theintroduction of efficient methods for the collection of useful data. The five recommended stepsof epidemiological surveillance are as follows.1 Collection of data2 Compilation of data3 Analysis and interpretation4 Follow-up action5 Feedback.Currently, computerized data collection methods and computerized data analysis, usingspecialized software, are being used quite often.50Prerequisites for Effective Epidemiological Surveillancel In order to develop effective epidemiological surveillance for any programme, theresponsible person must be clear about what information to collect, how often to compileand analyse the data, how often and to whom to report, what format to use, and what actionto take. The data collected should be uniform, regular, and timely.l Case definition A fundamental step in the collection of epidemiological data forsurveillance is defining a case. This requires an assessment of the objectives and logistics ofa surveillance system. Surveillance definitions must balance competing needs for sensitivity,specificity, and feasibility. For diseases, the performance of diagnostic tests may be importantin shaping a case definition. Equally important are the availability of tests, how they areused, and the ability of surveillance personnel to obtain and interpret results. Therefore, thecase definition should be brief and simple.l Analysis, interpretation, and presentation of surveillance data The analysis of surveillance datais generally descriptive and straightforward using standard epidemiological techniques. Inassessing a change detected by surveillance, the first question to ask is, “Is it real?” There are ahost of circumstances that can affect trends, including mundane (but often important)disruptions or changes in staffing, changing community interest in a disease, or changes insurveillance procedures (for example, coding schemes, definition, procedures for datatransmissions and implementation of new forms). The presentation of surveillance data maybe archival to provide a detailed record of health events or geared towards more rapidcommunication of a limited number of key points. Tabular presentation provides acomprehensive resource to those with the time and interest to review the data in detail. Incontrast, presentation using graphs or maps can immediately convey a key point.l Feedback Successful surveillance systems depend on effective collaborative relationshipsand on the usefulness of the information they generate. Providing information back to thosewho contribute to the system is the best incentive to participation. This feedback may be inthe form of reports, seminars, or data that participants can analyse themselves. Documentinghow surveillance data is used to improve services or shape policy emphasizes to participantsthe importance of their cooperation.