Attributes, Supportive and Core Functions of Public Health Emergency Surveillance leadership, and Implementation for Tropical Diseases Control

Abstract BackgroundPublic health surveillance (PHS) is the continuing organized gathering, investigation, elucidation, and well-timed distribution of health-related information for activities and program evaluation. Conducting a surveillance system evaluation is crucial for monitoring the efficacy and effectiveness of intervention programs in health care systems. Evaluate the Status of Attributes, Supportive and Core Functions implementation of Public Health Emergency Surveillance (PHES) in the case of Awi Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2020 was the main aim of the study.Methods A descriptive prevalence study design was used to evaluate the surveillance system of the Awi zone selected woreda. 25 study sources are used in the study (5 District Health Offices (5HOs), 10 Health Centers (10HCs), and 10 Health Posts (10HPs)). Purposive sampling techniques were utilized. Data were obtained by communicable diseases control the standard format of systematic evaluation of four surveillance units from January to August 2020 through observation, document review, and interviewing surveillance officers and focal persons using a semi-structured survey.ResultsThe structure of public health surveillance (PHS) data flow from health posts to health districts be sound structured. However, coordination and supervision of the surveillance activities were not frequent. From those supervised health facilities, most of them are not receiving feedback. There was no budget line, written feedback, epidemic and preparedness, and a response plan regular based on supportive supervision at all visited health facilities. ConclusionsSupervisions were made as integrated supportive supervision in the last six months. However, there was no program-specific supportive supervision of Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM). Data analysis was not routinely practiced in both visited districts and was not used for decision making. Therefore, we recommend that districts and sub-city health offices should conduct regular surveillance data analysis, perform supportive supervision, avail budgets, and mitigate resource constraints and improve data quality on the job training and supportive supervision.