ISSN 2360-7920
Abstract: Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease that causes high morbidity, especially in Low and Middle-Income Countries. In the East Mamprusi Municipality, typhoid fever is among the top ten causes of morbidity and caused pockets of outbreaks in 2021. This evaluation, therefore, assessed the typhoid fever surveillance system in East Mamprusi from 2017 to 2021 to determine its usefulness, attributes, and whether it is meeting its objectives. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to evaluate the typhoid fever surveillance system in East Mamprusi District from 2017 to 2021. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews, observations, and records review using CDC guidelines for surveillance system evaluation. Qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis, and summary statistics such as frequencies and proportions were calculated from quantitative data. Results were presented in tables, graphs, and text. All the population in the district were under typhoid fever surveillance during the period evaluated. Of 9,503 cases suspected, 3564 (37.5%) were tested and 57.8% (2,060/3,564) confirmed. About 52.2% (4,964/9,503) of suspected cases were females. Fifty-seven communities, females, and people aged 20–35 years were identified as high-risk. Hundred percent of (14/14) surveillance sites submitted reports with completeness and timeliness rates of 91.20% (766/840) and 85.71% (720/840), respectively. The system has no thresholds. All staff stated the case definition. Reporting forms were modified without affecting system operation. Health workers participate in detecting and reporting cases in the entire population. There was a stockout of reporting forms during the review period. The typhoid fever surveillance system in East Mamprusi Municipality was useful and partially met its objectives. The system was fairly stable, simple, sensitive, and timely in reporting. It was acceptable, flexible, and representative and produced quality data with a low predictive value positive. The District Director of Health Services should ensure thresholds are set; this will alert the health system about outbreaks.
Keywords: Typhoid fever, Surveillance, Evaluation, East Mamprusi, Ghana.
Keywords: Typhoid fever, Surveillance System,