Potential development of digital environmental surveillance system in dengue control: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A digital surveillance system for dengue control has the potential to be developed in reporting and management. The increasing number of dengue cases requires an integrated case reporting system. AIM: This study aims to evaluate paper-based systems and the potential development of digital environmental technology in dengue control. METHODS: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted using 14 key informants with the head of the city health office, the head of the Puskesmas, the head of dengue surveillance, the head of the dengue hemorrhagic fever program. Four focus group discussions with the jumantik coordinator, and the village head from May-August 2021 in Denpasar City, Bali. The theme of the interview was about epidemiological and entomological surveillance, obstacles to the dengue control program, the potential for applying digital technology, and the challenges of applying digital surveillance technology. Furthermore, open-ended questions and content analysis by qualitative study procedures were adopted. Transcribed verbatim and triangulation of sources were conducted for data validation. RESULTS: The reporting system that used paper-based was not optimally implemented due to repetition of reporting, speed of information, data bias, performance measurement as well as case surveillance and reporting system constraints. An integrated digital environmental surveillance system (SILIRA) was also developed for dengue control. In the current Covid-19 pandemic, the need for digital applications is high due to the policy of not accepting guests and keeping a distance. Epidemiological surveillance for case data collection, entomological surveillance for larva density, case reporting, and educational videos are the required data in the application. CONCLUSION: Digital environmental surveillance has the potential to be used for dengue control. Through an integrated digital surveillance system, policies for dengue control can be carried out quickly and precisely.