ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM IN NORTHERN STATE OF SUDAN, 2012

Kamal Elbssir (PhD)*, Salah Adam Abdalla Adam (PhD), Dr. Elsadig Mahgoub Eltayeb (MD), Ali Mohieldin (PhD)

ABSTRACT

There is a growing international awareness that deals with communicable diseases threat relies on effective efficient and well Structure of communicable diseases surveillance system. This is a facility based- descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess the ongoing structure of communicable disease surveillance system in Northern State during the period of 2010-2012. Data were gathered via sets of questionnaires that cover both interviews and certain observations at sentinel sites and state levels. The data were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software. The results showed that only (71%) of surveillance units at localities had a responsible personnel for surveillance activities, and (34%) of the responsible personnel has a deputy, the skills of data entry and analysis were the weakest issue in the sentinel sites level. Also (19%) of sentinel sites had no list of notifiable diseases. The existence and effectiveness of laws and regulations at state level was 100%. There were only 43% of surveillance units at localities level has a coordination to exchange of information. The study recommended conduction of effective training; special attention should be paid to improvements of supportive supervision and provision of sufficient resources to operate the surveillance system effectively in the state and peripheral levels.

Keywords: Structural components of communicable disease surveillance system, Northern State, Sudan, 2012.