03320nas a2200325 4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653002400079653005700103100001200160700001200172700001200184700001100196700001400207700001400221700001100235700002000246700001800266700001300284700001100297700001200308700001900320700001500339245010900354856009900463300001300562490000700575520239800582022001402980 2021 d bPublic Library of Science (PLoS) 10 aInfectious Diseases 10 aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health 1 aKarki S 1 aWeiss A 1 aDcruz J 1 aHunt D 1 aHaigood B 1 aOuakou PT 1 aChop E 1 aZirimwabagabo H 1 aRubenstein BL 1 aYerian S 1 aRoy SL 1 aKamb ML 1 aGuagliardo SAJ 1 aBentwich Z 00 aAssessment of the Chad guinea worm surveillance information system: A pivotal foundation for eradication uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0009675&type=printable ae0009675 0 v15 3 a
Background
In the absence of a vaccine or pharmacological treatment, prevention and control of Guinea worm disease is dependent on timely identification and containment of cases to interrupt transmission. The Chad Guinea Worm Eradication Program (CGWEP) surveillance system detects and monitors Guinea worm disease in both humans and animals. Although Guinea worm cases in humans has declined, the discovery of canine infections in dogs in Chad has posed a significant challenge to eradication efforts. A foundational information system that supports the surveillance activities with modern data management practices is needed to support continued program efficacy.
Methods
We sought to assess the current CGWEP surveillance and information system to identify gaps and redundancies and propose system improvements. We reviewed documentation, consulted with subject matter experts and stakeholders, inventoried datasets to map data elements and information flow, and mapped data management processes. We used the Information Value Cycle (IVC) and Data-Information System-Context (DISC) frameworks to help understand the information generated and identify gaps.
Results
Findings from this study identified areas for improvement, including the need for consolidation of forms that capture the same demographic variables, which could be accomplished with an electronic data capture system. Further, the mental models (conceptual frameworks) IVC and DISC highlighted the need for more detailed, standardized workflows specifically related to information management.
Conclusions
Based on these findings, we proposed a four-phased roadmap for centralizing data systems and transitioning to an electronic data capture system. These included: development of a data governance plan, transition to electronic data entry and centralized data storage, transition to a relational database, and cloud-based integration. The method and outcome of this assessment could be used by other neglected tropical disease programs looking to transition to modern electronic data capture systems.
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