Malaria Surveillance System Evaluation in Ankober Woreda North Shewa, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2022

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a major public health concern worldwide, with the African region accounting for the majority of cases. Routine malaria surveillance data is crucial for assessing incidence and trends over time and detecting cases early for prompt management. The purpose of evaluating malaria surveillance systems is to assess how well they operate to meet their objectives and ensure efficient and effective monitoring of problems. This study aimed to evaluate and assess the performance of the existing malaria surveillance system and the status of surveillance attributes of malaria in Ankober woreda, North Shewa, Amhara. General objective: To evaluate and assess the performance of the existing Malaria surveillance system and the status of surveillance attributes of malaria in Ankober woreda, North Shewa, Amhara from December 16-26 2022. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study were conducted from December 16-26, 2022. Ankober woreda were selected randomly among 239 malaria elimination targeted districts and total of nine health facilities were selected. The data were collected from surveillance officers in the selected health facilities using CDC surveillance system evaluation guideline check-list. Result: The results showed that case definitions were posted in all health centers, and understanding of them was good. The woreda reported a total of 26 confirmed malaria cases among 195 clinically suspected cases and zero deaths in 2014 EFY. The overall completeness and timeliness of the woreda surveillance for 2022 were 100% and 97%, respectively. Malaria epidemic monitoring charts were used to detect changes in cases but not analyzed by place and person. Irregular feedback and supportive supervision were conducted. High staff turnover and less trained and poorly incentivized health personnel with poor motivation and job satisfaction were found. The surveillance system was found to be useful, simple, flexible, acceptable, sensitive, and representative to all surveillance officers. Conclusion: Malaria surveillance system found to be satisfactory to achieve the intended objective of surveillance for public health action. Most surveillance system attributes are good.  Working surveillance as an additional job and reduced training opportunity added with poor incentive mechanism will make low motivation and satisfaction with their job that definitely affect the stability of the system. The Malaria surveillance system presented in all assessed health institutions of Ankober woreda was found to be able to determine the magnitude of the disease for planning and intervention and detect change in malaria mortality and morbidity.