Journal Article

Structure, functions, performance and gaps of event-based surveillance (EBS) in Sudan, 2021: a cross-sectional review

Magboul, Babiker Ahmed Ali, Alzain, Mazza Abasher, Osman, Muntasir Mohamed, Elgorashi, Suleiman Gamal, Habibi, Muzhgan, Mahmoud, Tahani Amin, Alkhidir, Mohamed Abdalhafiz, Ismaiel, Ismaiel Mohamed, Bashir, Abdelgadir Ali, Abdalla, Abdalla Mohammed, Aboushady, Ahmed, Malik, Elfatih Mohamed, Sadek, Mahmoud, Mohammed, Sabir Ali, Ibrahim, Rayyan, Fadelmula, Hatim Fadelalsyeed, Mohamed, Omer Elbadri, Lane, Christopher, Abdullah, Ahmad Izzoddeen

2022

Overview

Background Event-based surveillance (EBS) is an essential component of Early Warning Alert and Response (EWAR) as per the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005. EBS was established in Sudan in 2016 as a complementary system for Indicator-based surveillance (IBS). This review will provide an overview of the current EBS structure, functions and performance in Sudan and identify the gaps and ways forward.  Methods The review followed the WHO/EMRO guidelines and tools. Structured discussions, observation and review of records and guidelines were done at national and state levels. Community volunteers were interviewed through phone calls. Directors of Health Emergency and Epidemic Control, surveillance officers and focal persons for EBS at the state level were also interviewed. SPSS software was used to perform descriptive statistical analysis for quantitative data, while qualitative data was analysed manually using thematic analysis, paying particular attention to the health system level allowing for an exploration of how and why experiences differ across levels. Written and verbal consents were obtained from all participants as appropriate. Results Sudan has a functioning EBS; however, there is an underestimation of its contribution and importance at the national and states levels. The link between the national level and states is ad hoc or is driven by the need for reports. While community event-based surveillance (CEBS) is functioning, EBS from health facilities and from non-health sectors is not currently active. The integration of EBS into overall surveillance was not addressed, and the pathway from detection to action is not clear. The use of electronic databases and platforms is generally limited. Factors that would improve performance include training, presence of a trained focal person at state level, and regular follow-up from the national level. Factors such as staff turnover, income in relation to expenses and not having a high academic qualification (Diploma or MSc) were noticed as inhibiting factors. Conclusion The review recommended revisiting the surveillance structure at national and state levels to put EBS as an essential component and to update guidelines and standard operation procedures SOPs to foster the integration between EBS components and the overall surveillance system. The need for strengthening the link with states, capacity building and re-addressing the training modalities was highlighted.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Analysis / Capacity Building / Capacity development / Case detection / Community-based surveillance / Consents / Control / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / Cross-Sectional Studies / Data Accuracy / Data analysis / Databases, Factual / Development Economics / Emergency communications systems / Epidemic response / Epidemics / Epidemiology / Evaluation / Event-based surveillance / Guidelines / Health care facilities / Health facilities / Health Services Research / Health signals / Health surveillance / Health systems / Humans / Infectious diseases / International regulations / Medical law / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Methods / Performance enhancement / Public Health / Qualitative analysis / Quality of Life Research / Sentinel health events / Social Policy / Statistical analysis / Sudan / Sudan - epidemiology / Supervision / Surveillance / Surveillance equipment / Surveillance systems / Training / World health