R506 Surveillance Evaluation of Melioidosis in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand, 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59096/wesr.v57i4.3208Keywords:
surveillance evaluation, Melioidosis, Sakon Nakhon ProvinceAbstract
Introduction: Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a serious infectious disease present in soil and water throughout Thailand, with the highest incidence in the northeastern region. The disease can lead to severe outcomes, and timely detection is critical for patient management and public health control. In Sakon Nakhon Province, 52 cases were reported in 2022 (4.51 per 100,000 population), with the highest incidence in Khok Sri Suphan District (98.52 per 100,000). However, only four of 18 districts reported cases, suggesting potential underreporting in other areas. Evaluating the surveillance system is therefore essential to identify gaps in reporting, assess data quality, and inform improvements for effective disease prevention and control.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using medical record reviews from Sakon Nakhon, Khok Sri Suphan, and Kut Bak Hospitals between January to December 2022. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis.
Results: Reporting sensitivity was 0% at Sakon Nakhon Hospital, 70.81% at Khok Sri Suphan Hospital, and 2.54% at Kut Bak Hospital. The positive predictive value (PPV) was high at Khok Sri Suphan Hospital (80.77%). Representativeness was limited, as distributions of sex and seasonality in the surveillance data did not reflect those of patients meeting the case definition. Qualitative findings indicated that staff recognized melioidosis as a serious and locally prevalent disease and considered the surveillance system useful for planning prevention measures.
Conclusion: The melioidosis surveillance systems in the three hospitals in Sakon Nakhon Province were stable and flexible but showed low sensitivity, positive predictive value, and representativeness. Data quality was fair, and timeliness required improvement. Strengthening awareness of the surveillance system and promoting effective data utilization across hospitals are essential to enhance reporting and support timely disease control.
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