Heidebrecht C.L., Tugwell P.S., Wells G.A., Engel M.E.
Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Heidebrecht, C.L., Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Tugwell, P.S., Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Wells, G.A., Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Engel, M.E., Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
SETTING: Cape Town, South Africa. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current system of tuberculosis surveillance in the Cape Metro region. DESIGN: This evaluation was based on the 'Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems' of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, modified to render the framework applicable to the context of tuberculosis (TB) surveillance. The evaluation incorporated qualitative exploration of perceptions and experiences of system users. RESULTS: System users were very accepting of the system and were committed to seeing it achieve its purpose within public health. Some individuals expressed concerns about the rigidity of the Electronic TB Register software and its analysis capabilities. Dissemination of TB data and evidence-based action within the Cape Metro region are strong attributes of Cape Town's TB surveillance system. At the time of the evaluation, integration of TB and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) data was weak, as was multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) surveillance; the South African Tuberculosis Control Programme is developing initiatives to improve these areas. CONCLUSIONS: Cape Metro's TB surveillance is strong, although it would be strengthened by increasing availability of data reflecting TB-HIV co-infection and MDR-TB. Systems operations could be improved by increasing software flexibility, and increased integration of electronic data across health regions would enhance the capacity and assessment of control efforts. © 2011 The Union.
article; computer program; disease registry; disease surveillance; evidence based practice; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; information dissemination; medical information system; multidrug resistant tuberculosis; priority journal; public health; South Africa; tuberculosis; tuberculosis control; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); Guidelines as Topic; HIV Infections; Humans; Population Surveillance; Registries; Software; South Africa; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant; United States