June 2022 Vol. 10 No.6

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Original Research Article

Availability of Resources for Epidemiological Surveillance during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Descriptive Study in the Edea Health District, Cameroon

Alex S. Ndjip Ndjock^{1, 2*}, Samar A. Amer^3,4,5*, Steve R. Souga¹, Electha E. Asagandou¹, Ingrid C. Djuikoue^6,7, Rodrigue Yemene², Carlos Tiemeni², Frank W. Nounkeu², Leila P. Mfongouot², Marie Tekou², Ernest Tambo^6,7

¹Edea Health District, Cameroon.
²Department of Public Health, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
³Department of Public Health and Community Medicine. Zagazig Medical University, Zagazig, 44519 Egypt.
⁴Membership at the Royal Colleague of General Practitioners, London, NW1 2FB, United Kingdom.
⁵Department of Mental Health Primary Care, Nova University, Lisboan
⁶Faculty of Health Sciences, University des Montagnes, Bangangte, Cameroon.
⁷Prevention and Control Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon.

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: dr_samar11@yahoo.com
 
Received: 21 May 2022  I  Accepted: 22 June 2022  I  Published: 24 June 2022  I  Article ID: MRJMMS22051
Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0.

Abstract

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 a 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. A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from January 15 to March 30, 2021, targeted all the 17 surveillance focal points from 17 health facilities in the Edea health district. An observation grid was used to collect data. The coverage of health facilities was 100%. 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) of the surveillance focal points were briefed at the Edea district health service on the use of the District Health Information System-2 (DHIS-2). None of the health facilities, or 0%, had operating funds for monitoring surveillance activities. In the Edea health district during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there weren't enough materials or funds set aside for this kind of work, and even people who work on epidemiological surveillance weren't well trained. This leads to ineffective surveillance and a lack of preparation for public health emergencies.

Keywords: Availability, Cameroon, COVID-19, Epidemiological surveillance, Resource allocation