A systematic review on improving implementation of the revitalised integrated disease surveillance and response system in the African region: a health workers’ perspective

Abstract

Background: The revised integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) guidelines adopted by African member states in 2010 aimed at strengthening surveillance systems critical capacities. Milestones achieved through IDSR strategy implementation prior to adopting the revised guidelines are well documented, however, there is a dearth of knowledge on the progress made post-adoption. This study aimed to review key recommendations resulting from surveillance assessment studies to improve implementation of the revitalised IDSR system in the African region based on health workers perspectives. The review focused on literature published between 2010 and 2019 post-adopting the revised IDSR guidelines in the African region. Methods: A systematic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science and Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature was conducted. In addition, manual reference searches and grey literature searches using World Health Organization Library and Information Networks for Knowledge databases were undertaken. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement checklist for systematic reviews was utilised for the review process. Results: Thirty assessment studies met the inclusion criteria. IDSR implementation under the revised guidelines could be improved considerably bearing in mind critical findings and recommendations emanating from the reviewed surveillance assessment studies. Key recommendations alluded to provision of laboratory facilities and improved specimen handling, provision of reporting forms and improved reporting quality, surveillance data accuracy and quality, improved knowledge and surveillance system performance, utilisation of up-to-date information and surveillance system strengthening, provision of resources, enhanced reporting timeliness and completeness, adopting alternative surveillance strategies and conducting further research. Conclusion: Recommendations on strengthening IDSR implementation in the African region post-adopting the revised guidelines mainly identify surveillance functions focused on reporting, feedback, training, supervision, timeliness and completeness of the surveillance system as aspects requiring policy refinement. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42019124108.

Feasibility of Implementing Recommendations to Improve Neglected Tropical Diseases Surveillance and Response in Kenya: A Modified Delphi Study

“…This survey approach involved an assessment of participants' opinions towards reaching group consensus. Utilisation of the Delphi process enabled practical assessment regarding the importance and feasibility of implementing generalised recommendations to improve surveillance systems derived from an initial systematic review of studies conducted in the African region and further disease-speci c recommendations derived from primary studies conducted in NTD endemic regions in Kenya [16][17][18]. By combining the opinions and perspectives of key stakeholders, the survey described consensus reached on the most feasible recommendations for implementation to improve surveillance and response to NTDs at the sub-national level in Kenya.…”

“…A two-round descriptive web-based Delphi survey was utilised. The factors assessed in the survey were retrieved from key ndings of three previous studies [16][17][18]. The rst study involved a systematic review of literature based on surveillance assessment studies, which identi ed priority recommendations for implementation to improve surveillance system core, support and attribute functions in the African region (PROSPERO Registration number CRD42019124108) [16].…”

“…The factors assessed in the survey were retrieved from key ndings of three previous studies [16][17][18]. The rst study involved a systematic review of literature based on surveillance assessment studies, which identi ed priority recommendations for implementation to improve surveillance system core, support and attribute functions in the African region (PROSPERO Registration number CRD42019124108) [16]. The second and third studies involved assessment of surveillance core, support and attribute functions to identify disease-speci c recommendations to improve PC-NTDs surveillance and response based on health workers' perspectives in Kenya [17,18].…”

“…In the absence of reliable information systems, targeted disease control will be impeded since interventions may be implemented in areas where NTDs are uncommon or completely absent, which may result in unnecessary use of the limited resources [15]. An initial systematic review of studies, which assessed surveillance systems in African countries postadoption of the revised IDSR guidelines between 2010 and 2019 was undertaken and the key ndings and recommendations ensuing from the assessment studies retrieved [16]. Furthermore, two studies involving primary data collection were conducted with the aim of assessing surveillance system core, support and attribute functions regarding PC-NTDs co-endemic in Kenya [17,18].…”