Evaluation of dengue surveillance system, Suphan Buri Province, 2023

Abstract

     This cross-sectional descriptive research aimed to evaluate the epidemiological surveillance system for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) of Suphan Buri province including steps of reporting DHF, quantitative characteristics, and qualitative characteristics among recruited four hospitals. Quantitative characteristics were evaluated by using data reviewed from the medical records of 377 patients based on assigned ICD-10 codes which compared with the number of patients reported through an epidemiological surveillance (R506). Qualitative characteristics were evaluated by using data collected by interviewing 32 medical and public health professionals who were involved with disease surveillance.
     The results showed that (1) steps of reporting DHF in the hospitals after doctors had diagnosed or suspected a patient with DHF, nurses at the department reported staff involving disease prevention and control via various channels immediately. Moreover, the staff checked, collected, investigated each case, and reported to relevant agencies daily. (2) Quantitative characteristics, the completeness or sensitivity was 53.33% which was at a moderate level. The positive predictive value was 100% which was a good level. The accurate of all variables was 100% which was able to be a representative of the real situations. Additionally, reporting DHF cases within the specified time, 24 hours, was 100 percent. (3) Qualitative characteristics, it was accepted by relevant personnel due to legal regulations, awareness of its importance, and acceptable of information’s reliability which the accurate was measured by staff in all levels. Moreover, it was able to used for disease investigation and control. The DHF surveillance system was uncomplicated, flexible, able to report via various channels based on local contexts, and applied to other communicable diseases surveillance. In this regard, an effective DHF surveillance system will result in rapid detection and warning which will help achieve high efficiency in controlling DHF immediately.