Showing 24 results for Surveillance
A Khorrami Rad, M Karami, Z Abedini,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (3-2012)
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Background & Objectives: Epidemiological
surveillance of infectious diseases through the mandatory-reporting system is
crucial for disease prevention program and success in it related to physician,
partnership. The aim of this study was to identify statues of notification
system among general practitioners (physicians) in Qom.
Methods: In this analytical cross section study
a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and attitude of
notifiable diseases, self-reported practices, reasons for noncompliance with
reporting requirements, and suggestions to improve compliance. A total 140
general physicians completed the questionnaire. Appropriate statistical
analyses were performed.
Results: 14/3% and 13/6% had a good knowledge
and attitude about notification and only 47% had good performance. There was
significant association between the participants' self-reported practices and
knowledge total scores and participating in continuing medical education. The
major barrier of reporting notifiable diseases was poor knowledge of the list
of reportable diseases and reporting requirements. The most frequent
suggestions for improving physicians' compliance with disease reporting were to
simplify the reporting process and giving awareness about list of notifiable
diseases.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest inappropriate
knowledge, attitude and practices about disease notification requirements among
GPs. Modifying physisicans' knowledge and motivation, eliminating barriers to
disease reporting, and promoting some facilitating factors could help reduce
the underreporting of notifiable diseases.
M Karami, H Soori, Y Mehrabi, Aa Haghdoost, Mm Gouya,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (12-2012)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Knowledge of the presence of seasonal trends and other explainable patterns in the prediagnostic data sources and removing such patterns before applying outbreak detection methods seem very important. This study aimed to detect and remove the explainable patterns such as seasonality, day-of-week (DOW) and holiday effects of the daily counts of suspected cases of measles in Iran.Methods: Data on daily counts of suspected cases of measles as a pre-diagnostic data source were obtained from Iranian national surveillance system between 21 March 2008 and 20 March 2011. We used lines plot, moving average chart, autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation functions for detecting explainable patterns. Moving average (MA) and Holt- Winters (HW) exponential smoothing method are used for removing explainable patterns.
Results: Our findings indicate the presence of seasonality, DOW effect, holidays and weekend effects in the daily counts of suspected cases of measles. The good performance of HW exponential smoothing technique in removing seasonal patterns is evident. MA technique showed better performance regarding assumption violation on outbreak detection methods.
Conclusion: Because of the presence of explainable patterns in the daily counts of suspected cases of measles, considering such patterns before applying outbreak detection algorithms is very important. Implementing both MA (7 days) techniques for its simplicity as a pre- processing method and HW method for its efficacy in removing seasonal patterns is recommended.
M Karami, H Soori, Y Mehrabi, Aa Haghdoost, Mm Gouya,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (12-2012)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Evaluating the performance of outbreak detection methods using real data testing provide the highest degree of validity. The aim of this study was to determine the performance of the Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) in real time detection of two local outbreaks in Iran.
Methods: The EWMA algorithm (both ƛ= 0.3 and 0.6) applied on daily counts of suspected cases of measles to detect local outbreaks which had been occurred in Mashhad and Bandar Abbas cities during 2010. The performance of The EWMA algorithms were evaluated using real data testing approach and reported by correlation analysis.
Results: Mashhad outbreak was detected with a delay of about 2 to 7 days using EWMA algorithms as outbreak detection method while the utility of EWMA algorithms in real time detection of Bandar Abbas’ outbreak were on time good optimal. Maximum correlation value for EWMA 2 in relation to Mashhad outbreak was 0.60 at lag 2.
Conclusion: Applying the EWMA algorithm as an outbreak detection method at local levels is not suggested. However the characteristics of data are determinant of the performance of such detection methods.
A Ansarifar, H Soori, Akbarzadeh Bagheban, ,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of Persian version of survey instrument for Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFS).
Methods: Content and Face validity of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFS) questionnaire were examined with Backward-Forward method. This method consisted of four steps: translation, back-translation, expert review and Pilot study. For evaluation of reliability of questionnaire, 194 adults of 18 years or older from Karaj province were interviewed. For the examination of reliability, Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to assess the internal consistency of the questionnaire. The reliability of quantitative variables evaluated with intra class correlation (ICC) ordinal variables with weighted Kappa and nominal variables with Kappa and weighted Kappa were calculated as well.
Results: Average age of participants were 38.8 15. Majority of participants (66.5%) were in 18-44 years group, 26.8% in 45-64 years and others 65 years and older. In validity procedure, 26 questions were deleted, 3 questions added and 6 questions were modified. Questions of ‘having situations of HIV morbidity’ and ‘Do you currently use drug abuse’ were least reliability and deleted from questionnaire. Others were reliable. (It might be better to say how many questions remained finally)
Conclusion: Our results indicate that BRFSS Persian version questionnaire has acceptable reliability and criterion validity for surveillance system in Iran.
M Karami, H Soori, Y Mehrabi, Aa Haghdoost, Mm Gouya, N Esmailnasab,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (10-2013)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Timely response to emerging diseases and outbreaks are a major public health and health systems priority. There are few published studies that evaluate the performance of cumulative sum (CUSUM) on identical data using semi- synthetic simulation approach. This study was undertaken to determine the performance of the CUSUM in timely detection of 831 days of simulated outbreaks.
Methods: We evaluated the performances of the CUSUM as an outbreak detection method on simulated outbreaks injected to daily counts of suspected cases of measles as baseline data in Iran between 21 March 2008 till 20 March 2011. Data obtained from the Iranian national surveillance system. The performance of algorithms was evaluated using sensitivity, false alarm rate, likelihood ratios and Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results: Generally the sensitivity of the CUSUM algorithm in detecting simulated outbreaks was 50%
(95% CI: 47- 54). The corresponding values are disaggregated according to outbreak size, shape and duration. The CUSUM algorithm detected the half of outbreaks after 13.84 days on average.
Conclusion: We concluded that CUSUM algorithm performed good in detection of large outbreaks with short periods and poorly in detecting long period outbreaks, particularly those simulated outbreaks that did not begin with a surge of cases.
B Lotfi, M Karami, A Soltanian, J Poorolajal, M Mirzaee,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the completeness and geographical representativeness of the hepatitis B surveillance system between 2007 and 2013 in Hamadan Province.
Methods: In this descriptive study, all reported cases in Hamadan Province were extracted. The analytical literature review method was used to examine completeness. We used studies on the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis in Iran published between 2007 and 2013. Sensitivity analysis of the results was performed by simulation program using the R software. Geographical representativeness was assessed and plotted by the ArcGIS software, as well.
Results: Totally, 1378 cases were reported to the hepatitis B surveillance system in Hamadan Province. Most cases were from urban areas and were men, married, and housewives mostly in the age group 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years. Completeness of the hepatitis B surveillance system was 77%. The hepatitis B surveillance system was not representative in terms of occupation but was representative in terms of age, sex, marital status, and place of living.
Conclusion: We concluded that the hepatitis B surveillance system had a relatively good performance. Moreover, findings of the analytical literature review method are affected by the included studies and interpretation of the results should be performed with caution.
K Jafari, M Karami, A Soltanian, N Esmailnasab,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (8-2016)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Syndromic surveillance systems are used to early detection of outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of clinical and non-clinical data sources used in influenza syndromic surveillance in Zanjan.
Methods: In this time series study, clinical and non-clinical data related to influenza like illness (ILI) as a potential data source of syndromic surveillance systems, including the number of missed school days collected from 12 schools and the data of over the counter (OTC) drug sale obtained from 15 pharmacies selected randomly in Zanjan during 2014 were used. We used the line plot and moving average chart to explore trends and detect potential explainable patterns of data sources. The autocorrelation function and cross correlation function besides corresponding graphs were used to assess the feasibility of school absenteeism and OTC sale in timely detection of influenza outbreaks.
Results: Line plots indicated the presence of explainable patterns and the effect of the day of the week. The cross correlation value was 0.5 and cross correlogram revealed the similarity of both data sources in this study.
Conclusion: Our findings indicated the feasibility of influenza data sources, including school absenteeism and OTC, as potential data sources of syndromic surveillance systems.
M Hosseiny, Gh Moradi, Mm Gouya, A Janati, E Ghaderi,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Evaluation is one of the main components of communicable diseases surveillance. Despite the World Health Organization’s emphasis for preparation of evaluation tools, there is no suitable tool in Iran. This study aimed to prepare a tool for evaluation of communicable diseases surveillance in hospitals and to pilot it.
Methods: Items were prepared in the first step and the first version of questionnaire was developed. Face validity and content validity were checked. Piloting of the questionnaire was done in Tabriz hospitals. Data were entered into SPSS 18. For evaluation of reliability, internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's α and Kuder-Richardson.
Results: According to the results, we developed a questionnaire containing 29 questions in 5 domains with 20 indexes. Fifteen hospitals (78.9%) had a communicable diseases reporting system. The goals of reporting system were not described in these hospitals and only 2 (13.3%) hospitals had supporting laws. None of the hospitals had complete access to the surveillance system and reporting tools.
Conclusion: The developed questionnaire can be a useful tool to evaluate the communicable diseases surveillance system in hospitals. The reporting systems in the hospitals are not complete.
K Etemad, A Heidari, Mh Panahi, M Lotfi, F Fallah, S Sadeghi,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (12-2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Data plays a major role in a health care system in development planning and health services support if they are correct, timely and accessible. The data of the Ministry of Health are not readily available and the limited access reduces their value. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges of access to the data of the Iranian Ministry of Health.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2015. Twenty-three academic and administrative experts were selected purposefully. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data. The transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using content analysis.
Results: The results of this study provided 4 main themes (challenges of access to the data of the surveillance system, challenges of access to the data of national surveys and ordered projects, challenges of access to the data of electronic health records, and challenges of access to confidential data) and 15 sub-themes.
Conclusion: Given the multiple challenges of access to the data of the Iranian Ministry of Health, it is suggested to design access mechanisms in a systematic manner in the form of guidelines and organizational structures for data access management.
G Moradi, A Veysi, K Rahmani, H Erfani, A Doosti Irani , Mr Shirzadi, F Gharachorloo, M Nabav, Mm Gouya,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Leishmaniasis control in each country, especially in countries where the disease is endemic, requires designing and implementing an organized national surveillance system. Iran has long been considered as an endemic country for leishmaniasis. The purpose of this study was to review the leishmaniasis surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: In this review study, the data were obtained from the surveillance system, reports and documents, published guidelines, reviews of the existing structures, and the views of the managers and experts of the Center for Communicable Diseases control in Iran in 2018.
Results: The surveillance system for two types of leishmaniasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar), is currently operational in the country, and new cases are reported monthly. For each identified case, in addition to the epidemiologic attributes, treatment and follow-up as well as follow-up of possible contacts are done as per to the guidelines for each of these diseases.
Conclusion: The current surveillance system for leishmaniasis has improved the process of reporting cases in recent years. However, the low rate of reporting of cases, especially for cutaneous leishmaniasis, and epidemiological complexities in the transmission of the infection indicate the need for reviewing and improving the current surveillance system. Data from the surveillance system and the increasing number of leishmaniasis cases in Iran reveal the need for innovations to strengthen the control measures for this disease.
S Eybpoosh, B Eshrati,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This article provides an overview of the national nosocomial infection surveillance system in Iran and its current status, achievements, and challenges.
Methods: All relevant reports, documents, and program guidelines, as well as published literature and surveillance data related to the nosocomial infection surveillance system in Iran were critically reviewed. Opinions of the key informants at local and governmental levels were also reviewed.
Results: The program was launched in 2006 covering 100 volunteer hospitals. Since 2016, participation in the program is obligatory, leading to the participation of 555 hospitals with >100 beds (56%). Major data collected in the program include demographic characteristics, infections and related risk factors, pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility/resistance, and patient outcome. Recently, device-associated infection rates are also calculated in the program. Since its establishment in 2006, the program has improved in terms of case finding and coverage. Implementation of the program has also had positive impacts on the stakeholders’ knowledge, attitude, and practice.
Conclusion: Although the number of identified cases and program coverage have improved, a considerable proportion of the infected cases still remain undiagnosed. Implementation of the program has also improved the stakeholders’ awareness, attitude and practice. The program faces a number of challenges, including lack of appropriate scientific support from academics and executive issues. Integration of active and sentinel surveillance in selected hospitals, persuasion of physicians to actively participate in the program, and conducting incidence and prevalence surveys would help the program to better detect nosocomial infection cases.
Gh Moradi, S Vahedi, Kh Rahmani, M Zeinali, E Mostafavi, H Erfani, F Bonakdar, Mkh Ghanbari, B Amiri, E Ghaderi, Mm Gouya,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran has long been considered to be one of the countries in the world with endemic brucellosis. The aim of this study was to review the surveillance system of brucellosis in Iran.
Methods: Data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control, the review of records, documents, books and published articles and also interviews with process owners and experts of brucellosis surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: In the current surveillance system in Iran, all patients with brucellosis will undergo standard treatment for at least 2 months. The patient identified at each site, private or public sector, reports to the health center of the city. After reporting cases to higher levels, city health center carried out required epidemiologic investigation in the place of reported case in collaboration with its environmental levels. Finally, the individual assessment form, epidemiologic investigation form, for reported case is completed and registered in national surveillance database.
Conclusion: Although integration of the brucellosis surveillance program into the health system of the country and reporting and treatment of human cases in accordance with the country's protocol in recent years is well executed, brucellosis control in Iran requires the one health approach. Accordingly, it can be concluded that despite the decrease in the number of brucellosis cases in recent years, the weakness in livestock surveillance has led to many fluctuations in the health system's success in providing surveillance for human cases of brucellosis.
Gh Moradi, E Ghaderi, M Sargolzaei, H Fallahi, S Eybpoosh, K Tayeri, S Akbarpour , K Entezarmahdi, Kh Rahmani,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran is one of the Middle Eastern countries that implemented the HIV / AIDS control and surveillance program many years ago. The purpose of this study was to review the HIV / AIDS surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: This was a review research to assess the processes, structures and achievements of the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in Iran. The information sources of this study included data from the surveillance system, reports and documentation, and published guidelines, reviewing existing structures and views of managers and practitioners of the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in Iran.
Results: In Iran, all cases with HIV / AIDS as well as people with high risk behaviors are referred to behavioral disease counseling centers in order to receive health care services. Harm reduction in people with risky behaviors in the form of counseling centers, drug addicts' centers, and women's counseling centers in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations, and attention to the second generation of HIV/AIDS surveillance, particularly conducting behavioral studies, are other components of the HIV / AIDS surveillance system in Iran
Conclusion: Although the HIV / AIDS surveillance system in Iran has a large structure with many achievements in reducing new HIV cases, especially in some high-risk groups such as injecting drug users, as well as reducing HIV transmission from infected mothers to their children, strengthening this surveillance system, especially for sexual high-risk groups, is essential for controlling HIV/AIDS in the country.
Gh Moradi, Kh Rahmani, P Hemati, H Akbari, F Rezaei, M Dadras, B Amiri, H Erfani, M Soroush, S Darvishi, J Soltani, T Mokhtari Azad , Mm Gouya,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran, like most other countries in the world, is always threatened with global epidemics and pandemics of influenza. The purpose of this study was to review the influenza surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: Data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control, the review of records, documents, books and published articles and also interviews with process owners and experts of influenza surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: Influenza surveillance in Iran Currently, a combination of surveillance methods, including caring for patients, laboratory care, hospital care and surveillance of respiratory disease epidemics and also border surveillance. Reporting of human influenza outbreaks, as well as suspected avian flu as main notifiable diseases carried out through telephone. For each suspect case, in addition to taking and sending a sample to diagnose and also detect subtypes of the virus, medical treatment is immediately initiated and tracking of possible contacts is also done.
Conclusion: Although there is currently good coherence in the surveillance of influenza in Iran, but based on concerns about the emergence of influenza pandemics in the future, and considering the possible genetic variation of the flu viruses, the tracking of the flu virus circulation along with updating surveillance system especially emphasizing methods and formulas for rapid identification of disease outbreaks, as well as providing better health care and treatment is essential.
E Abdalmaleki, Zh Abdi, M Goharimehr, R Alvandi, S Riazi Esfahani , E Ahmadnezhad,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran has carried out a series of surveys based on the Global school-based student health survey (GSHS) referred to as the CASPIAN. The aim of this paper was to compare the methodology and tools of CASPIAN surveys and to propose recommendations and suggestions for future implementations.
Methods: The data of this systematic review study were gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO) documentations, international databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, GoogleScholar, and ScienceDirect, and national databases including Magiran, SID, and Irandoc. The search was conducted in both English and Persian (for the time period from 2003 to 2018). The time and place of the study, target population, questionnaire(s), sample size, and sampling method were compared between the surveys.
Results: Five rounds of CASPIAN survey were conducted in Iran from 2003 to 2015. The surveys had two sets of questionnaires for students and parents. In all five rounds, sampling methods and questionnaires were similar in the core and differed in some details that were added selectively in each round. The questionnaires were designed based on the GSHS and the WHO stepwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) programs.
Conclusion: Considering the small variation in each series and compliance with the global model, it is suggested that the next CASPIAN survey be conducted according to the previous series in accordance with the standards presented in the global model in recent years in a reasonable interval from the 2015 survey.
E Ghaderi, M Salehi Vaziri , E Mostafavi, Gh Moradi, Kh Rahmani, M Zeinali, Mr Shirzadi, H Erfani, Sh Afrasiabian, S Eybpoosh,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: To provide an overview of the national program of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever surveillance in Iran, its current achievements, and challenges.
Methods: In this mixed method study, the relevant reports, documents, and guidelines, as well as published literature and surveillance data were gathered and critically reviewed. The opinions of the key informants at local and governmental levels were assessed through structured interviews.
Results: The program was integrated into Iran’s primary healthcare (PHC) network in 1999. The involved organizations include CDC, medical universities, Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), and Veterinary Organization. Case finding is based on standard definitions of suspected, probable, and confirmed cases. Laboratory confirmation is necessary for diagnosis and is provided within 48 hours after receipt of the specimen by the National Reference Laboratory of PII. CCHF treatment is primarily supportive. Antiviral therapy with ribavirin is also considered. Both therapeutic services are free. Education mainly focuses on high-risk groups and healthcare workers. Major achievements of the program include rapid diagnosis and treatment of cases, prevention of nosocomial transmission, identification of high-risk provinces and major transmission routes, improved outbreak preparedness, development of laboratory tests for detection of other arboviruses, and reduction of CCHF case fatality rate.
Conclusion: Program implementation has had a positive impact on early detection and proper control of annual outbreaks. However, some aspects of the program still need improvement, including promotion of the general and high-risk populations’ awareness and regional collaborations (especially among neighboring countries) for infection control in humans, livestock, and vectors.
Kh Rahmani, Gh Moradi, Mb Khadem Erfan , L Faraji, Gh Zamini, B Mohammadian, M Karimi, F Bahrami, A Raeisi,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (1-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran started malaria elimination campaigns many years ago. The purpose of this study was to review the malaria surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: The data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control, a review of records, documents, books and published articles, and also interviews with process owners and experts of malaria surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: The surveillance system of malaria in Iran has a coherent structure, in which all identified cases are reported and monitored from the environmental levels to the center by telephone instantly. Considering that the main goals of the malaria program including disease elimination have been obtained, the surveillance system in Iran is currently aiming at strengthening the elimination phase. In this stage, all new cases are also epidemiologically investigated in addition to examination, treatment and follow-up for categorization of the cases in categories of relapse, indigenous, introduced, and induced.
Conclusion: The successful implementation of the surveillance system for malaria over time has caused indigenous cases of disease to be limited to three southeastern provinces of the country and there are fewer than 300 new cases a year. Despite success, since the goal of malaria surveillance in Iran is now disease elimination, continuous monitoring of correct implementation of all processes and evaluation of the applied strategies are necessary.
E Ghaderi, Gh Moradi, S Sharafi, Kh Rahmani, Sh Ahmadi, B Mohsenpour, M Nasehi,
Volume 15, Issue 4 (1-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Over the past decades, the Iran’s anti-tuberculosis campaign has become highly structured and many achievements have been made. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of the TB surveillance system and its components in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Methods: The data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control, a review of the records, documents, books and published articles, and also interviews with process owners and experts of TB surveillance during 2017-2019.
Results: Case finding and treatment and follow-up of TB patients and their household contacts are done In the TB surveillance system. The implementation of the DOTS, (DIRECTLY OBSERVED TREATMENT SHORT-Course) is a major component of the TB surveillance system. Patient registration is done in an online application, which allows extracting and reporting the important indicators of the program. In this surveillance system, there is a special sensitivity to the treatment of patients, so the incidence of multi drug-resistant TB in the country is lower than that of the neighbors. The presence of regional laboratories that cover the entire region of the country is one of the strengths of the TB surveillance program in Iran.
Conclusion: Despite budget problems, the anti-TB program in Iran has many achievements. However, new strategies need to be considered to reduce the incidence of TB.
E Mostafavi, Gh Moradi, Kh Rahmani, F Jahanbakhsh, S Eybpoosh, M Keypour, E Ghaderi, H Erfani, K Hajibagheri, M Zeinali, M Khodabandehloo, M Shirzadi,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to present a summary of the rabies surveillance program in humans in the country, its achievements and its strengths and weaknesses.
Methods: This study was a review of the country's plan for surveillance and control of rabies in humans. The sources of information included the data, reports, documents, and published guidelines. The viewpoints of stakeholders and experts were also reviewed in this study.
Results: Since rabies is a zoonotic disease, its effective management requires a good collaboration between several organizations. Moreover, because Iran is located in an endemic region, there is a need for the development of regional and international cooperation for the success of disease prevention, control and management. Animal services for biting and rabies control are provided free of charge in more than 700 centers in the country. Major achievements of the program include timely preventive treatment for animal bite cases, knowledge of the geographical distribution of the disease, identification of high-risk provinces, and decreasing the percentage of human deaths.
Conclusion: The program has performed well for rabies secondary prevention. Some aspects of the program, however, still need to be improved, including improvement of educational programs targeting general population and high-risk groups, animal bite prevention, vaccination of domestic dogs, controlling the population of stray dogs, rabies control in wild animals, and proper waste collection and disposal.
M Karami, Kh Rahmani, Gh Moradi, Mm Gouya, A Sabouri , K Entezar Mahdi , Gh Kamali, Sm Zahraei,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (6-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Elimination and eradication of measles requires designing and implementing an enhanced surveillance system. The purpose of this study was to review the measles surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: The data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control; a review of the records, documents, books, and published articles; and interviews with process owners and experts of measles surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: Iran has a surveillance plan to eliminate the measles. The current design for suspected cases of measles in Iran is a case-based surveillance system, in which for each identified case with fever and maculopapular rashes, some activities such reporting, laboratory confirmation, clinical and epidemiological investigation and case registration in individual forms are done.
Conclusion: Complete surveillance of cases suspicious of measles and high coverage of vaccination in children less than 2 years in a cohesive surveillance system and rapid response to the outbreak have led to lack of occurrence of indigenous measles in Iran. Although the current status of the measles surveillance system in Iran seems to be favorable, since Iran is at the stage of measles elimination, it is essential to increase the sensitivity of the reporting system for suspected cases of measles and to maintain the status of vaccine coverage to save elimination status.
