Evaluation of dengue surveillance system in Thasae Hospital, Thasae District, Chumphon Province, 2017

Abstract

Background: Dengue infection remains a major public health problem in Thailand, including Chumphon province. However, the incidence rate of dengue in Thasae district, Chumphon province was found to decrease during 2015–2017 and needed evaluation of the surveillance system. This study aimed to describe the quantitative and qualitative attributes of dengue surveillance system evaluation in Thasae hospital, Thasae district, Chumphon province.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing data of dengue cases who lived in Thasae district, Chumphon province and were treated in Thasae hospital, either in the out-patient or in-patient department, during 1 November 2016 to 31 October 2017. Case definitions of suspected, probable and confirmed dengue infections by the Bureau of Epidemiology were used. The study compared dengue data between those in the hospital registration and in the surveillance system to determine quantitative attributes of the surveillance including sensitivity, positive value positive (PVP), data quality, representativeness and timeliness. Twelve health personnel involving the surveillance system were interviewed to determine qualitative attributes including simplicity, flexibility, acceptability, stability and usefulness.
Results: Of the 859 medical records reviewed, 86 cases met dengue definitions and 53 cases were reported in the surveillance system. Thirty-nine cases were found in both the hospital registration and the surveillance system. The sensitivity of surveillance was 45.35% and the PVP was 73.58%. Data quality was very good and could be representative. About 81.14% of the cases could be reported within 48 hours (timely reporting) after treatment. All health personnel cited that the surveillance system was simple, flexible, acceptable, stable and useful.
Conclusion: It is essential to improve dengue surveillance in Thasae hospital, especially sensitivity, PVP and timeliness. Steps of reporting system and dengue diagnosis should also be strengthened. These will increase the usefulness and efficiency of surveillance system.