Application of Epidemiologic

Methods in Public Health Action

 Analysis of the population groups at
risk
 Monitoring of health problems
 Etiologic research on the cause of
mortality and morbidity
 Assessment of the local capability in
response to the issue at hand
 Application of Epidemiologic
Methods in Public Health Action
 Assessment of needs against available
resources
 Implementation of disease-control
strategies
 Assessment of the use and distribution
of health services
 Follow-up of long-term impacts of
health, etc.
 From Rapid Assessment to
Surveillance
 Rapid assessment provides an
opportunity to establish a Surveillance
System
 Involve local staff
 Use standard check-lists and forms
 Use existing information systems
 THINK:
Given the situation, WHAT MUST BE
MONITORED in order to
 best satisfy the current vital needs?
 be prepared for appropriate response?
 What Information?
For Preparedness For Response
Name, Location, limits? Is it still accessible?
Area Main features? Fully?
Route of access?
Present number and Number of those who
Population characteristics? are affected?
Characteristics?
What is known to What, who, when,
occur? where?
Health
What may occur? Is it continuing? Has
Threats something else
occurred?
What is available? Is it enough?
Resources
Are your plans Do they work?
Plans and ready? Is it sustainable?
arrangements
Which Quality of Information?
 User-friendly – who is/are your
audience/s?
 Express information as to:
 Time
 Place
 Person
 Source
 Limitations
Which Quality of Information?
 Economic – clear, concise, straight
to the point
 Reliable – accuracy
 Complementing
 Other information from the sector
 Information from other sectors
 Rapid Assessment
 What must we look at?
The Population
 Numbers and Trends
 Death rates and causes
The Support Systems
 Information

 Logistics

 Co-ordination

 Resource flow
 Surveillance

On-going systematic collection,

analysis, interpretation of data
and the dissemination of
information to those who need
to know in order that action may
be taken

Information for Action

 Purposes of Surveillance
 Assess public health status
 Define public health priorities
 Evaluate programs
 Conduct research
 Attributes of a good
surveillance system include:
 Simplicity
 Flexibility
 Data Quality
 Acceptability
 Sensitivity and Positive
Predictive Value
 Representativeness
 Timeliness
 Stability
 Disease Surveillance
 The rumor clear-house
 Monitor mortality and/or
morbidity
 Dispel and/or confirm rumors
of outbreaks
 Inform public of hazards where
response is required
 Objectives of a
Surveillance System
 Estimate the magnitude of a health
problem
 Identify groups at increased risk for
adverse health outcomes
 Detect epidemics or other
outbreaks
 Objectives of a
Surveillance System
 Monitor changes in infectious
agents
 Detect changes in health
practices
 Evaluate control strategies
 Elements of Effective
Surveillance
 Key person
 Choice of diseases for surveillance
 Transportation
 Prompt investigation
 Regularity of reporting from the surveillance
sites
 Regularity of reporting to the next higher level
 Prompt analysis and Information
Dissemination
 Sustainability of the system
Developing a Surveillance
System
 Establish Objectives

 Develop Case Definitions

 Choose Indicators

 Determine Data Sources

 Develop data collection tools and

information flows
 Developing a Surveillance
System
 Conduct Field-testing and training
 Develop and Test the Strategy of
Data Analysis
 Develop Mechanisms of
Disseminating Information
 Monitor and Assess Usefulness of
the System
 Disseminate information to
stakeholders