Assessment of the Chad guinea worm surveillance information system: A pivotal foundation for eradication

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Aug 9;15(8):e0009675. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009675. eCollection 2021 Aug.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chad / epidemiology
  • Disease Eradication
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology
  • Dog Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Dogs
  • Dracunculiasis / epidemiology
  • Dracunculiasis / parasitology
  • Dracunculiasis / prevention & control
  • Dracunculiasis / veterinary*
  • Dracunculus Nematode / genetics
  • Dracunculus Nematode / physiology*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by The Carter Center, whose work to eradicate Guinea worm disease has been made possible by financial and in-kind contributions from many donors. A full listing of supporters can be found at The Carter Center website (http://www.cartercenter.org/donate/corporate-government-foundation-partners/index.html). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.