ABSTRACT
Background: Disease surveillance and notification (DSN) has been shown to be weak in Nigeria; thus; its inability to promptly detect and control epidemics.Objective: To examine the completeness and timeliness of data collection and information transmission process for DSN in the Anambra state.Materials and Methods: The study was of cross-sectional design and employed the multistage sampling method to select 270 health workers who are involved in DSN in Anambra state. Data were collected by a mix method of interviewer administered questionnaire and observational checklist preceded by key informant interviews and desk review.Results: One hundred (43.9) health workers reported regular supply of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) forms; 25 and 16.2 reported it was irregular and usually out of stock; respectively. Most facilities (81.5) were the least correct; while out-patient register (88.9) was the most correct. Only 10.0 of health facilities submitted completed forms 5 days after completion; 88.9 of them submitted completed IDSR002 forms within 2 days of completion; while the remainder was submitted 4 days later.Conclusion: The health workers were not operating the DSN system in the State to optimal functionality. Recommendations were therefore made for the periodic training-retraining of health personnel on DSN; improved funding; provision of logistics; improved supervision; and feedback of information
Subject(s)
Cross-Sectional Studies , Data Collection , Disease Notification , Efficiency , Information DisseminationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among blood donors and to determine the possible risk of transmission of malaria parasite to recipients of blood in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State. METHODS: Four hundred and forty-four subjects were selected randomly and EDTA added blood was collected for screening malaria parasites using Giemsa stain. The data were subjected to chi2 analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of malaria was 30.2% among blood donors and showed bimodal distribution with significant variation in different months. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Due to high prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in this region, all blood samples should be screened for malaria parasites (post-donor screening) and administered with a curative dose of antimalarials prophylactically to all patients transfused with malaria parasite positive blood.