Abstract
Background Epidemiological surveillance is a key intervention to break the epidemiological silence of a disease. The complexity and workload of maintaining surveillance systems on an ongoing basis, as well as the ability to mobilize human resources in an alert situation, requires specialized professionals, material resources and financial resources. In many developing countries, particularly francophone ones, the development of surveillance systems is hampered by a number of difficulties, including the lack of financial means and specialized human resources. This study therefore assesses the availability and allocation of resources for epidemiological surveillance in the health facilities of the Edea health district.
Methodology This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 15 January to 30 March 2021 among 17 surveillance focal points in 17 health facilities in the Edea health district. Our sampling was a non-probability sampling by convenience. Data were obtained using several tools, namely: The questionnaire entitled “Cameroon Integrated Supportive Supervisory Checklist” with Open Data Kit (ODK) and the binder “Edea Monitoring Surveillance 2021”.
Results The coverage of health facilities was 100%, i.e. 17 health facilities surveyed and 17 surveillance focal points. Concerning material resources, 59% (10/17) of health facilities had
computer equipment, although this equipment was not always entirely dedicated to epidemiological surveillance. In 47% (8/17) of health facilities, data entry was done on personal tablets and/or smartphones. Concerning human resources, 6% (1/17) of the focal points were trained in epidemiological surveillance. Also, 24% (4/17) surveillance focal points were briefed at the Edea district health service on the use of the DHIS 2 (District Health Information System 2). None of the health facilities, or 0%, had operating funds for monitoring surveillance activities.
Conclusion Surveillance and monitoring programs must be able to adapt to new epidemiological scenarios. The lack of material resources, the lack of training of focal points on epidemiological surveillance and the DHIS 2 as well as the lack of financial resources dedicated to epidemiological surveillance contribute to the inefficiency of this surveillance in the Edea health district and the lack of anticipation of potential public health emergencies.
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