Evaluation of Lab-based Influenza Surveillance System in Pakistan, 2017

Authors

  • Nadia Noreen FELTP
  • Abdul Wali Khan FGPC
  • Nazish Badar Department of Virology,National institute of Health Islamabad
  • Fawad Khalid Khan FELTP Pakistan
  • Farida Khudaidad FELTP Pakistan
  • Naveed Ullah Khan FGPC
  • Sonia Riaz FELTP Pakistan
  • Tabinda Malik FELTP | A Program of CDC Atlanta & The Task Force for Global Health

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.26

Keywords:

Lab based Influenza Surveillance System, Sentinel sites, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Influenza is a common respiratory disease in Pakistan. However, the absence of a robust surveillance system makes it difficult to estimate the burden of disease.

 

Purpose: We conducted this study to identify key strengths and weaknesses of the laboratory-based influenza surveillance system in Pakistan and to make recommendations for improvement.

 

Methods: We conducted an evaluative descriptive study of the national laboratory-based influenza surveillance system from April to July 2017. We conducted this assessment using the updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems issued by CDC in 2011.

 

Findings: The system was found to be simple and easy to operate, but with little flexibility to integrate with other pathogens and diseases. Data quality was good, given that 80% of observed forms were completed. Timeliness was good, as it takes only 24-48 hours from sample collection to report a submission to the central level. Acceptability was good, since both private and public sector hospitals and labs are involved. Sensitivity was 62% and positive predictive value (PPV) was 37.2%. The representativeness of lab based influenza surveillance system was poor, since it is a sentinel surveillance system with specific, strategically placed reporting sites.

 

Conclusions: The system meets its objectives. Sustainability and stability of the system needs to be improved by allocation of public funds. Coverage of the system should be expanded to improve representativeness. Regular capacity building with staff at reporting sites will ensure continued quality of reporting.

Author Biographies

Nadia Noreen, FELTP

MBBS MPH.CDC certified field epidemiologist Medical officer incharge in Directorate of central health establishments NIH Islamabad

Abdul Wali Khan, FGPC

MBBS,MSPH,PHD public Health

Nazish Badar, Department of Virology,National institute of Health Islamabad

Molecular Virologist

Fawad Khalid Khan, FELTP Pakistan

MBBS,MPH,Msc Epidemiology.CDC Certified Epidemiologist

Farida Khudaidad, FELTP Pakistan

MBBS,MPH.CDC Certified Epidemiologist

Naveed Ullah Khan, FGPC

FCPS Surgery,Surgeon FGPC

Sonia Riaz, FELTP Pakistan

MSPH,FELTP

Tabinda Malik, FELTP | A Program of CDC Atlanta & The Task Force for Global Health

M.Phil. (Higher Education Leadership and Management - A Post- Graduate Education in Research Systems)

Senior Editor for Research and Publications

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Published

2019-07-03

How to Cite

Noreen, N., Khan, A. W., Badar, N., Khan, F. K., Khudaidad, F., Khan, N. U., … Malik, T. (2019). Evaluation of Lab-based Influenza Surveillance System in Pakistan, 2017. Global Biosecurity, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.31646/gbio.26

Issue

Section

Research Articles
Received 2019-02-18
Accepted 2019-06-21
Published 2019-07-03