An evaluation of malaria disease surveillance in Nakhonratchasima province, 2017

Abstract

Background: Malaria is an important health problem in Nakhonratchasima Province. The surveillance data from 506–Report showed 36, 22, 15, 38, 31 and 27 Malaria cases during 2012–2017. The attack rate were 1.4, 0.85, 0.58, 1.45, 1.18 and 0.99 per 100,000 population respectively. Then we conducted the evaluation of Malaria surveillance system of Nakhonratchasima Province. The Objectives were to know the quantitative and qualitative attributes of the system as well as to give the recommendations for the system.
Method: The cross sectional study was performed. For quantitative attributes, we reviewed medical records that diagnosed malaria and related disease during 1st January to 31st December 2017 in 6 community hospitals of Nakhonratchasima Province. By using case definitions followed the Thailand guideline of infectious disease definition 2001 by Bureau of Epidemiology. For qualitative attributes, we interviewed health personnel who involved in the surveillance system.
Results and conclusions: From reviewing total 2,857 medical records, only 30 cases met with the case definition. Twenty seven cases were reported in 506 reporting system. The sensitivity was 90% and the positive predictive value was 100%. All variables had completely filled. Most variables were 100% accuracy except ‘Occupation’ and ‘Source of infection’ were both only 66.6%. The timeliness of reporting was 100%. All variables except ‘Gender’ could be representatives of population. For qualitative attributes, 1) The reporting system was simple according to the software programs that all hospitals had applied in the data management. 2) The health personnel from every level accepted and understood the important of the surveillance system. 3) The surveillance system was stable according to the unity of disease control measures of the province. 4) The surveillance system was flexible such as the substitute system for the staff absent and the two channels for retrieving the surveillance data, etc. and 5) Every health agencies using the information from the surveillance system.
Recommendations: 1) Screening high risk group of people for intensive prevention and control measures 2) Training to increasing practical skills in outbreak investigation among health personnel and 3) Develop capacity for the Malaria laboratory as well as the Pharmaceutical and medical system in the risky area–based hospitals.