Conference abstract

Evaluation of Kaduna State meningitis surveillance system: 2014 - 2015

Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2018:8(96).13 Apr 2018.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2018.8.96.697
Archived on: 13 Apr 2018
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Meningitis, Kaduna State, evaluation, surveillance
Opening ceremony

Evaluation of Kaduna State meningitis surveillance system: 2014 - 2015

Ummulkhulthum Abubakar Bajoga1,&, Aishatu Abubakar2, Anthony Shamang3, Abayomi Olufemi1, Mahmood Dalhat1, Hadiza Balarabe4, Patrick Nguku1

1Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program, Abuja, Nigeria, 2Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, 3Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Kaduna, Nigeria, 4State Primary Health Care Agency, Kaduna, Nigeria

&Corresponding author
Ummulkhulthum Abubakar Bajoga, Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Kaduna State is located in the northern part of Nigeria and falls within the meningitis belt where outbreaks of meningitis occur frequently. Laboratory confirmation of all cases is required to identify the strain of the causative organism. We evaluated the surveillance system to identify key attributes of the system and to assess perception of key stakeholders regarding cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) and its surveillance in Kaduna State.

Methods: the evaluation was conducted using the CDC updated guidelines for evaluating Public Health Surveillance systems and WHO Standard Operating procedures for enhanced meningitis surveillance in Africa. It was conducted in Kaduna State. We administered questionnaires, conducted key informant interviews and desk reviews. We also analyzed 2014 and 2015 meningitis surveillance data using Integrated Disease and Surveillance Data 002 and 003 forms. Data were presented in frequencies and proportions.

Results: specialized training is needed to collect samples. Ten respondents (83%) stated that they are willing to handle additional change to the surveillance system. There is a broad case definition which is likely to detect all cases of CSM. Only public health facilities were reporting to the system. There was no laboratory confirmation of any of the cases and the timeliness and completeness of reporting were both below 50%. Eleven out of the 12 respondents (91.7%) felt that CSM is of Public Health importance in Kaduna state because it has serious complications, frequent outbreaks and high disparities between rich and poor. Ten respondents (83%) stated CSM surveillance system was still meeting its objectives.

Conclusion: CSM is of public health importance in Kaduna State. The system is sensitive, flexible, complex but not representative. Stakeholders felt CSM is of public health importance and the surveillance system is meeting the objectives it was set up for. We recommended that the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Agency should engage with Board of private health facilities to increase reporting from these facilities.