Planning an integrated disease surveillance and response system: a matrix of skills and activities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The threat of a global influenza pandemic and the adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations (2005) highlight the value of well-coordinated, functional disease surveillance systems. The resulting demand for timely information challenges public health leaders to design, develop and implement efficient, flexible and comprehensive systems that integrate staff, resources, and information systems to conduct infectious disease surveillance and response. To understand what resources an integrated disease surveillance and response system would require, we analyzed surveillance requirements for 19 priority infectious diseases targeted for an integrated disease surveillance and response strategy in the WHO African region.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a systematic task analysis to identify and standardize surveillance objectives, surveillance case definitions, action thresholds, and recommendations for 19 priority infectious diseases. We grouped the findings according to surveillance and response functions and related them to community, health facility, district, national and international levels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The outcome of our analysis is a matrix of generic skills and activities essential for an integrated system. We documented how planners used the matrix to assist in finding gaps in current systems, prioritizing plans of action, clarifying indicators for monitoring progress, and developing instructional goals for applied epidemiology and in-service training programs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The matrix for Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) in the African region made clear the linkage between public health surveillance functions and participation across all levels of national health systems. The matrix framework is adaptable to requirements for new programs and strategies. This framework makes explicit the essential tasks and activities that are required for strengthening or expanding existing surveillance systems that will be able to adapt to current and emerging public health threats.</p

Profils evolutifs a court terme des convulsions associees a la fievre chez le nourrisson et le jeune enfant en milieu de soins de sante primaires a Kinshasa

Description Le pronostic immédiat des convulsions fébriles (CF) est un sujet de préoccupation pour le clinicien et les familles.Objectif Notre étude vise à étudier les facteurs pertinents pour l’établir au travers de l’analyse du profil évolutif endéans les 24 heures de patients admis pour CF.Méthodes Cent quarante-huit enfants, entre 5 à 71 mois, ont été incorporés prospectivement suite à leur admission pour CF dans 2 centres pédiatriques de référence à Kinshasa entre le 10 février et le 10 mai 2008. Leur évolution au cours des 24 premières heures a été analysée en fonction des caractéristiques cliniques de la crise initiale.Résultats Quatre-vingts pourcent des patients étaient âgés de moins de 3 ans. Huit groupes ont été identifiés sur base d’une présentation clinique différente. Les 2 groupes caractérisés par l’absence (groupe 1) ou la présence (groupe 8) de 3 facteurs de gravité identifiés diffèrent significativement par l’évolution durant les premières 24 heures (p&lt;0,05). Le groupe 8 rassemble les enfants ayant présenté les plus mauvaises évolutions : récidive de crise, déficit neurologique voire décès. Celles-ci apparaissent significativement reliées au caractère focal, prolongé et répétitif des crises à l’analyse univariée, mais seulement au caractère répétitif à l’analyse multivariée (OR ajusté = 4,4; IC 2,0-9,6).Conclusion Les CF présentent un polymorphisme sémiologique pouvant avoir une valeur pronostique à court terme. Indépendamment de l’étiologie sous-jacente, la reconnaissance de facteurs de risque de mauvaise évolution doit conduire à la mise en place de mesures de surveillance et de traitement préventifs appropriés

A multifaceted intervention to improve syphilis screening and treatment in pregnant women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Lusaka, Zambia: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Background: Despite international recommendations, coverage of syphilis testing in pregnant women and treatment of those found seropositive remains limited in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed whether combining the provision of supplies with a behavioural intervention was more effective than providing supplies only, to improve syphilis screening and treatment during antenatal care. Methods: In this 18-month, cluster randomised controlled trial, we randomly assigned (1:1) 26 urban antenatal care clinics in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Lusaka, Zambia, to receive a behavioural intervention (opinion leader selection, academic detailing visits, reminders, audits and feedback, and supportive supervision) plus supplies for syphilis testing and treatment (intervention group) or to receive supplies only (control group). The primary outcomes were proportion of pregnant women who had syphilis screening out of the total who attended the clinic; and the proportion of women who had treatment with benzathine benzylpenicillin out of those who tested positive for syphilis at their first antenatal care visit. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02353117. Findings: The 18-month study period was Feb 1, 2016, to July 14, 2017. 18 357 women were enrolled at the 13 intervention clinics and 17 679 women were enrolled at the 13 control clinics at their first antenatal care visit. Syphilis screening was done in a median of 99·9% (IQR 99·0–100·0) of women in the intervention clinics and 93·8% (85·0–98·9) in the control clinics (absolute difference 6·1% [95% CI 1·1–14·1]; p=0·00092). Syphilis treatment at the first visit was done in a median of 100% (IQR 99·7–100·0) of seropositive women in intervention clinics and 43·2% (2·6–83·2) of seropositive women in control clinics (absolute difference 56·8% [12·8–99·0]; p=0·0028). Interpretation: A behavioural intervention, together with the provision of supplies, can lead to more than 95% of women being screened and treated for syphilis. The sole provision of supplies is sufficient to reach such levels of screening coverage but is not sufficient to ensure high levels of treatment. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.Fil: Althabe, Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Chomba, Elwyn. University Teaching Hospital of Lusaka; ZambiaFil: Tshefu, Antoinette K. University of Kinshasa; República Democrática del CongoFil: Banda, Ernest. University Teaching Hospital of Lusaka; ZambiaFil: Belizán, María Melina Eleonora. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bergel, Eduardo. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Berrueta, Amanda Mabel. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Bertrand, Jane. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Bose, Carl. University of North Carolina; Estados UnidosFil: Cafferata, Maria Luisa. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Carlo, Waldemar A. University of Alabama at Birmingahm; Estados UnidosFil: Ciganda, Alvaro. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Donnay, France. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Garcia Elorrio, Ezequiel. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gibbons, Luz. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Klein, Karen. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Liljestrand, Jerker. Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation; Estados UnidosFil: Lusamba, Paul D. University of Kinshasa; República Democrática del CongoFil: Mavila, Arlette K. University of Kinshasa; República Democrática del CongoFil: Mazzoni, Agustina. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Nkamba, Dalau M. University of Kinshasa; República Democrática del CongoFil: Mwanakalanga, Friday H. University Teaching Hospital Lusaka; ZambiaFil: Mwapule Tembo, Abigail. University Teaching Hospital Lusaka; ZambiaFil: Mwenechanya, Musaku. University Teaching Hospital Lusaka; ZambiaFil: Pyne Mercier, Lee. Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation; Estados UnidosFil: Spira, Cintia. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; ArgentinaFil: Wetshikoy, Jean D. University of Kinshasa; República Democrática del CongoFil: Xiong, Xu. University of Tulane; Estados UnidosFil: Buekens, Pierre. University of Tulane; Estados Unido

Syphilis screening and treatment in pregnant women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Lusaka, Zambia: a cross-sectional study [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Background: Congenital syphilis is associated with perinatal deaths, preterm births and congenital malformations. Low rates of syphilis screening during pregnancy and treatment of those found seropositive have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia. We report the rates on antenatal syphilis screening, the seroprevalence of syphilis infection, and the frequency of antibiotic treatment in pregnant women screened positive for syphilis during their attendance at antenatal care (ANC) clinics in Kinshasa, DRC and Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: Women attending their first ANC were enrolled consecutively during a 9-month period in 16 and 13 ANC clinics in Kinshasa and Lusaka respectively, in the context of the baseline period of a cluster trial. Study personnel collected data on women’s characteristics, the syphilis screening practices, the test results, and the frequency of treatment, that were done under routine ANC conditions and registered in the clinic records. Results: 4,153 women in Kinshasa and 18,097 women in Lusaka were enrolled. The frequency of screening at the first visit was 59.7% (n= 2,479) in Kinshasa, and 27.8% (n=5,025) in Lusaka. Screening test availability varied. In the periods in which tests were available the screening rates were 92.8% in Kinshasa and 52.0% in Lusaka. The frequency of women screened seropositive was 0.4% (n=10) in Kinshasa and 2.2% (n=109) in Lusaka. Respectively, 10% (n=1) and 11.9% (n= 13) among seropositive women received treatment at the first visit. Conclusions: The results of the study show that screening for syphilis in pregnancy is not universal even when supplies are available. Our ongoing trial will evaluate the impact of a behavioral intervention on changing health providers’ practices to increase screening and treatment rates when supplies are available

Seizures associated with fever and psychomotor development in primary health care in Kinshasa

peer reviewedUne étude prospective menée pendant 3 mois dans 2 centres des soins de santé primaires à Kinshasa, a permis de décrire les caractéristiques sémiologiques des Convulsions Fébriles (CF) présentées par 148 patients, âgés de 5 à 71 mois. Les CF ont été décrites en fonction de leur distribution, leur durée et leur répétition éventuelle. Les caractères latéralisés, prolongés et répétitifs étaient considérés comme des facteurs de gravité. Le Quotient de Développement psychomoteur (QDP) des patients a été évalué sur base de l’échelle de Gensini et Gavito, reprenant les domaines de la motricité, de la communication, et de l’adaptation. Le QDP était bas chez 6,7% des patients. 5% avaient un retard dans le domaine de la motricité, 3,4% dans le domaine de la communication, et 2,7% dans celui de l’adaptation. Nous n’avons pas noté de lien significatif entre le QDP global, et les facteurs de gravité des CF. Toutefois, tous les enfants ayant un retard dans le domaine de la motricité, avaient présenté des convulsions répétées avant leur admission: (p=0,02 [OR=1,096 (IC 95%) : 1,060 -1,128)]. La motricité était l’élément le plus significativement atteint chez les malades ayant présenté les CF. Cette observation mérite d’être validée par des études castémoins, incluant un plus grand nombre de sujets.Summary A prospective and descriptive study including 148 children (age: 5-71 months) presenting with febrile seizures (FS) at two Primary Health Care centres in Kinshasa, was conducted over a period of 3 months. Type of seizure (genaralized or focal), its duration, and its characteristic (recurrent or not), were documented, to assess the severity of the disorder. The Psychomotor Development (PMD) of each patient was evaluated, using the Gensini and Gavito scale and then the Psychomotor Development Quotient (PDQ) calculated, according to the motor, communication, and social domains. Main results were: a reduction in PDQ (6.7%), motor delay (5%), communication delay (3.4%), and social delay (2.7%), based on this scale. No significant link was found between global PDQ reduction and markers of FS severity. However, recurrent seizures seemed strongly associated to delayed motor development (p=0.02 [OR=1.096, CI: 1.060-1.128]). These findings suggest that the motor domain could be more affected in children presenting FS, especially those with recurrent seizures. This link needs to be clearly established through larger case-control studies

Short term outcome of seizures associated with fever in children in primary health care in Kinshasa

peer reviewedRESUME Description Le pronostic immédiat des convulsions fébriles (CF) est un sujet de préoccupation pour le clinicien et les familles. Objectif Notre étude vise à étudier les facteurs pertinents pour l’établir au travers de l’analyse du profil évolutif endéans les 24 heures de patients admis pour CF. Méthodes Cent quarante-huit enfants, entre 5 à 71 mois, ont été incorporés prospectivement suite à leur admission pour CF dans 2 centres pédiatriques de référence à Kinshasa entre le 10 février et le 10 mai 2008. Leur évolution au cours des 24 premières heures a été analysée en fonction des caractéristiques cliniques de la crise initiale. Résultats Quatre-vingts pourcent des patients étaient âgés de moins de 3 ans. Huit groupes ont été identifiés sur base d’une présentation clinique différente. Les 2 groupes caractérisés par l’absence (groupe 1) ou la présence (groupe 8) de 3 facteurs de gravité identifiés diffèrent significativement par l’évolution durant les premières 24 heures (p<0,05). Le groupe 8 rassemble les enfants ayant présenté les plus mauvaises évolutions : récidive de crise, déficit neurologique voire décès. Celles-ci apparaissent significativement reliées au caractère focal, prolongé et répétitif des crises à l’analyse univariée, mais seulement au caractère répétitif à l’analyse multivariée (OR ajusté = 4,4; IC 2,0-9,6). Conclusion Les CF présentent un polymorphisme sémiologique pouvant avoir une valeur pronostique à court terme. Indépendamment de l’étiologie sous-jacente, la reconnaissance de facteurs de risque de mauvaise évolution doit conduire à la mise en place de mesures de surveillance et de traitement préventifs appropriés.ABSTRACT Background The immediate prognosis of febrile convulsions is a subject of importance to both clinicians and families. Aim Our study aims to analyse the factors that establish the clinical course in the first 24 hours in children admitted with febrile convulsion Methods 148 children, aged between 5 and 71 months, were prospectively enrolled at their admission for febrile convulsions in two paediatric reference centres in Kinshasa between 10th February and 10th May, 2008. The clinical course over 24 hours was documented and analysed with regard to the clinical features of the initial crisis. Results: 80% of children were less than 3 years old. Based on the clinical presentations, 8 subgroups were distinguished. The 2 groups characterized by the absence (Group 1) or presence (Group 8) of the three identified prognostic factors had significantly different clinical courses over 24 hours (p<0.05). Group 8 contained children with the worst clinical course, characterised by seizure recurrence, neurological deficits and death. Focal type seizures, prolonged seizures and recurrent seizures were all associated with a worse outcome on univariate analysis, but on multivariate analysis, only recurrent seizures predicted a significantly worse prognosis (OR 4.4, CI 2.0-9.6). Conclusion Febrile convulsions present with different clinical characteristics and these have short term prognostic value. Regardless of the underlying cause, recognition of these poor prognostic factors should allow the establishment of appropriate surveillance and preventative treatment measures

Resources, indicators, data management, dissemination and use in health information systems in sub-Saharan Africa: results of a questionnaire-based survey

Summary Objective: To describe the status of health information systems in 14 sub-Saharan African countries of the World Health Organization African Region. Design: A questionnaire-based survey. Setting: Fourteen sub-Saharan African countries of the African Region. Participants: Key informants in the ministries of health, national statistics offices, health programmes, donors and technical agencies. Main outcome measures: State of resources, indicators, data sources, data management, information products, dissemination and use of health information. Results: The highest average score was in the identification and harmonisation of indicators (73%), reflecting successful efforts to identify priority indicators and reach international consensus on indicators for several diseases. This was followed by information products (63%), which indicated the availability of accurate and reliable data. The lowest score (41%) was in data management, the ability to collect, store, analyse and distribute data, followed by resources -policy and planning, human and financial resources, and infrastructure (53%). Data sources (e.g. censuses, surveys) were on average inadequate with a score of 56%. The average score for dissemination and use of health information was 57%, which indicated limited or inadequate use of data for advocacy, planning and decision-making. Conclusions: National health information systems are weak in the surveyed countries and much more needs to be done to improve the quality and relevance of data, and their management, sharing and use for policy-making and decision-making

SHORT TERM OUTCOME OF SEIZURES ASSOCIATED WITH FEVER IN CHILDREN IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN KINSHASA

Description Le pronostic immédiat des convulsions fébriles (CF) est un sujet de préoccupation pour le clinicien et les familles. Objectif Notre étude vise à étudier les facteurs pertinents pour l’établir au travers de l’analyse du profil évolutif endéans les 24 heures de patients admis pour CF. Méthodes Cent quarante-huit enfants, entre 5 à 71 mois, ont été incorporés prospectivement suite à leur admission pour CF dans 2 centres pédiatriques de référence à Kinshasa entre le 10 février et le 10 mai 2008. Leur évolution au cours des 24 premières heures a été analysée en fonction des caractéristiques cliniques de la crise initiale. Résultats Quatre-vingts pourcent des patients étaient âgés de moins de 3 ans. Huit groupes ont été identifiés sur base d’une présentation clinique différente. Les 2 groupes caractérisés par l’absence (groupe 1) ou la présence (groupe 8) de 3 facteurs de gravité identifiés diffèrent significativement par l’évolution durant les premières 24 heures (p<0,05). Le groupe 8 rassemble les enfants ayant présenté les plus mauvaises évolutions : récidive de crise, déficit neurologique voire décès. Celles-ci apparaissent significativement reliées au caractère focal, prolongé et répétitif des crises à l’analyse univariée, mais seulement au caractère répétitif à l’analyse multivariée (OR ajusté = 4,4; IC 2,0-9,6). Conclusion Les CF présentent un polymorphisme sémiologique pouvant avoir une valeur pronostique à court terme. Indépendamment de l’étiologie sous-jacente, la reconnaissance de facteurs de risque de mauvaise évolution doit conduire à la mise en place de mesures de surveillance et de traitement préventifs approprié

Zero-Dose Childhood Vaccination Status in Rural Democratic Republic of Congo: Quantifying the Relative Impact of Geographic Accessibility and Attitudes toward Vaccination.

Despite efforts to increase childhood vaccination coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), approximately 20% of infants have not started their routine immunization schedule (zero-dose). The present study aims to evaluate the relative influence of geospatial access to health facilities and caregiver perceptions of vaccines on the vaccination status of children in rural DRC. Pooled data from two consecutive nationwide immunization surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023 were used. Geographic accessibility was assessed based on travel time from households to their nearest health facility using the AccessMod 5 model. Caregiver attitudes to vaccination were assessed using the survey question How good do you think vaccines are for your child? We used logistic regression to assess the relationship between geographic accessibility, caregiver attitudes toward vaccination, and their childs vaccination status. Geographic accessibility to health facilities was high in rural DRC, with 88% of the population living within an hours walk to a health facility. Responding that vaccines are Bad, Very Bad, or Dont Know relative to Very Good for children was associated with a many-fold increased odds of a zero-dose status (ORs 69.3 [95%CI: 63.4-75.8]) compared to the odds for those living 60+ min from a health facility, relative to &lt;5 min (1.3 [95%CI: 1.1-1.4]). Similar proportions of the population fell into these two at-risk categories. We did not find evidence of an interaction between caregiver attitude toward vaccination and travel time to care. While geographic access to health facilities is crucial, caregiver demand appears to be a more important driver in improving vaccination rates in rural DRC