Evaluation of the Implementation and utilisation of a Case Based Diseases Surveillance (electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Reporting (eIDSR-CBS)) in the West Nile …

Abstract

West Nile is vulnerable to repeated disease outbreaks due to instability and refugees from South Sudan and Congo. Uganda is implementing integrated disease surveillance (IDSR) and piloting electronic IDSR (eIDSR-CBS) with Global Health Security Agenda, Infectious disease institute (IDI) and HISP-Uganda between January 2018 to February 2019 in West Nile. This study determined utilization and challenges of implementing eIDSR-CBS, whose aim was improving real-time disease reporting and building capacity of surveillance staff in eIDSR-CBS real-time disease reporting. Methodology: DSFP were trained to train others in eIDSR-CBS, trained other staff, distributed eIDSR-CBS materials and conducted support supervision. In a cross-section evaluation, project documents review and in-depth interviews provided data for utilisation, project relevancy, effectiveness of implementation, collaborations, sustainability, challenges and lessons learned. Findings: eIDSR-CBS used SMS, Web and Android platforms, DSFP supported 1,071 staff in 256 eIDSR trainings, supported 82% of 363 facilities, distributed 362 IDSR and 1072 eIDSR-CBS materials and 1953 SMS messages. Of 39 facilities, 79% conduct IDSR, 54% e-IDSR, 92% had IDSR and 98% eIDSR-CBS materials. The project built eIDSR-CBS capacity of staff, enhanced collaboration and communication among s stakeholders, was sustainable with improved skills, utilised existing MoH structures and engaging stakeholders. Conclusion: Implementing eIDSR-CBS isfeasible in existing MoH structures, with cascade-trainings multiplier effect exponentially disseminating eIDSR-CBS knowledge, trainers and staff and effectively creating ownership, responsibility and sustainability. eIDSR-CBS cascading needs scale-up for early disease outbreak detection.