#66 - Usefulness of Disease Surveillance Data in Enhanced Early Warning of the Cholera Outbreak in Southwest Cameroon, 2018. Part 1

Abstract:

This study evaluated the effectiveness of routine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) data in providing early warning for the 2018 cholera outbreak during the socio-political crisis in Southwest Cameroon. Using a mixed-methods approach, researchers analysed District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) surveillance data from 2018–2020 alongside interviews with key health personnel. During periods of intense conflict, disease reporting was characterised by poor timeliness (16.3%) and moderate completeness (67.2%), both of which improved as conflict intensity declined in 2020. Reduced conflict intensity was significantly associated with improved reporting timeliness, although the relationship with data completeness was weaker and not statistically significant. Variations between health districts suggested that factors such as proximity to reporting sites and performance-based financing helped sustain better reporting in some areas.

The findings indicate that routine IDSR data was insufficient for timely detection and response to the cholera outbreak because reports were frequently delayed and incomplete. While strengths such as electronic DHIS2 reporting and supportive supervision were identified, the surveillance system was undermined by staff shortages, low motivation, poor communication, multiple parallel reporting tools, unreliable DHIS2 data, and the broader challenges posed by insecurity and difficult access to affected communities. The study concludes that socio-political instability substantially weakened disease surveillance and outbreak response, highlighting the need for the Ministry of Public Health to strengthen surveillance systems that generate accurate, timely, and actionable data capable of supporting health risk management during humanitarian and conflict settings.

Guest:

• Ms. Reine Suzanne Mengue Kadia (Catholic University of Central Africa, Cameroon)

Host:

• Dr. Mark Ashley Parry (Northumbria University, United Kingdom)

Music:

• “Sunset” by Kai Engel, available at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0.