ASSESSMENT OF MEASLES CASE-BASED REPORTING IN ANIOCHA-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE

Abstract

The prevention and control of diseases pose a great challenge to the public health professionals especially in Africa. Effective communicable diseases control relies on effective surveillance and response systems that promote better coordination and integration. Despite the various immunization programmes in Nigeria, measles continues to occur in epidemic proportions in Nigeria. The disease surveillance in Aniocha south local government was assessed using measles as an index disease- assessing the reporting infrastructure, completeness of reporting, timeliness, representativeness, and completeness of reporting forms. Twenty-three health facilities within the LGA were visited and 37 health personnel interviewed for knowledge assessment. Linear regression was used to determine relationship between personal characteristics and knowledge. The health facility adequacy for reporting was also assessed with a health facility checklist. The LGA adequacy was also assessed with an LGA checklist. Measles cases ' records at the LGA were reviewed and compared with cases obtained from hospital record review. Capture-recapture method was used to estimate total number of measles cases in the population and the estimate used to calculate reporting efficiency. Representativeness was calculated from categorizing cases into sex and age groups and for geographical locations. Timeliness was calculated as interval between onset of rash and date of reporting to LGA and interval between date patient was seen at health facility and date of reporting to LGA. Completeness was calculated based on percentage of "blank" spaces on the reporting form. The study revealed inadequacy of infrastructure for disease-reporting in the health facilities within the LGA but adequate infrastructure in the LGA office. Capture-recapture method gave estimate of total measles cases and gave a reporting efficiency of 14.18% (95% CI: 10.08%, 23.93%). Timeliness was a median of 9.90days for 1st interval and 0.00 days for the 2nd interval. Percentages of cases in LGA and hospital records differ while 7.7% and 42.9% of IDSR 00IA and 00IB were uncompleted. Target of >- 80% in surveillance indicators were not met by most of the attributes assessed. Much needs to be done for effective surveillance and control of notifiable diseases in the area.