Effectiveness of data collection and information transmission process for disease notification in Anambra State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Disease surveillance and notification (DSN) has been shown to be weak in Nigeria, thus, its inability to promptly detect and control epidemics. OBJECTIVE To examine the completeness and timeliness of data collection and information transmission process for DSN in the Anambra state. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was of cross-sectional design and employed the multistage sampling method to select 270 health workers who are involved in DSN in Anambra state. Data were collected by a mix method of interviewer administered questionnaire and observational checklist preceded by key informant interviews and desk review. RESULTS One hundred (43.9%) health workers reported regular supply of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) forms, 25% and 16.2% reported it was irregular and usually out of stock, respectively. Most facilities (81.5%) returned completed forms monthly. Secondary health facilities were less likely to submit completed forms, while majority of primary health facilities submitted theirs monthly ( X 2 = 4.42, P = 0.035). With respect to correctness of records, Health Management Information System records (55.6%) were the least correct, while out-patient register (88.9%) was the most correct. Only 10.0% of health facilities submitted completed forms 5 days after completion, 88.9% of them submitted completed IDSR002 forms within 2 days of completion, while the remainder was submitted 4 days later. CONCLUSION The health workers were not operating the DSN system in the State to optimal functionality. Recommendations were therefore made for the periodic training-retraining of health personnel on DSN, improved funding, provision of logistics, improved supervision, and feedback of information.