tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
BMJ Glob Health
. 2024 May 15;9(5):e014941.
doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014941. Enhancing SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in Malawi using telephone syndromic surveillance from July 2020 to April 2022
Godfrey Woelk[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Thulani Maphosa[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 2 [/SUP], Rhoderick Machekano[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Annie Chauma-Mwale[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lucky Makonokaya[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Suzgo B Zimba[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Rachel Kanyenda Chamanga[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Rose Nyirenda[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Andrew Auld[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Evelyn Kim[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Veena Sampathkumar[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Allan Ahimbisibwe[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Louiser Kalitera[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 4 [/SUP], Lindsay Kim[SUP] 6 7 [/SUP], Alice Maida[SUP] 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Introduction: Monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in low-resource countries such as Malawi requires cost-effective surveillance strategies. This study explored the potential utility of phone-based syndromic surveillance in terms of its reach, monitoring trends in reported SARS-CoV-2-like/influenza-like symptoms (CLS/ILS), SARS-CoV-2 testing and mortality.
Methods: Mobile phone-based interviews were conducted between 1 July 2020 and 30 April 2022, using a structured questionnaire. Randomly digital dialled numbers were used to reach individuals aged ≥18 years who spoke Chichewa or English. Verbal consent was obtained, and trained research assistants with clinical and nursing backgrounds collected information on age, sex, region of residence, reported CLS/ILS in the preceding 2 weeks, SARS-CoV-2 testing and history of household illness and death. Data were captured on tablets using the Open Data Kit database. We performed a descriptive analysis and presented the frequencies and proportions with graphical representations over time.
Findings: Among 356 525 active phone numbers, 138 751 (38.9%) answered calls, of which 104 360 (75.2%) were eligible, 101 617 (97.4%) consented to participate, and 100 160 (98.6%) completed the interview. Most survey respondents were aged 25-54 years (72.7%) and male (65.1%). The regional distribution of the respondents mirrored the regional population distribution, with 45% (44%) in the southern region, 41% (43%) in the central region and 14% (13%) in the northern region. The reported SARS-CoV2 positivity rate was 11.5% (107/934). Of the 7298 patients who reported CLS/ILS, 934 (12.8%) reported having undergone COVID-19 testing. Of the reported household deaths, 47.2% (982 individuals) experienced CLS/ILS 2 weeks before their death.
Conclusion: Telephonic surveillance indicated that the number of SARS-CoV-2 cases was at least twice as high as the number of confirmed cases in Malawi. Our findings also suggest a substantial under-reporting of SARS-CoV-2-related deaths. Telephonic surveillance has proven feasible in Malawi, achieving the ability to characterise SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality trends in low-resource settings.
Keywords: COVID-19; Cross-sectional survey; Global Health; Public Health; SARS.
. 2024 May 15;9(5):e014941.
doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014941. Enhancing SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in Malawi using telephone syndromic surveillance from July 2020 to April 2022
Godfrey Woelk[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Thulani Maphosa[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 2 [/SUP], Rhoderick Machekano[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Annie Chauma-Mwale[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Lucky Makonokaya[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Suzgo B Zimba[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Rachel Kanyenda Chamanga[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Rose Nyirenda[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Andrew Auld[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Evelyn Kim[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Veena Sampathkumar[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Allan Ahimbisibwe[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Louiser Kalitera[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 4 [/SUP], Lindsay Kim[SUP] 6 7 [/SUP], Alice Maida[SUP] 6 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 38754899
- DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014941
Introduction: Monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in low-resource countries such as Malawi requires cost-effective surveillance strategies. This study explored the potential utility of phone-based syndromic surveillance in terms of its reach, monitoring trends in reported SARS-CoV-2-like/influenza-like symptoms (CLS/ILS), SARS-CoV-2 testing and mortality.
Methods: Mobile phone-based interviews were conducted between 1 July 2020 and 30 April 2022, using a structured questionnaire. Randomly digital dialled numbers were used to reach individuals aged ≥18 years who spoke Chichewa or English. Verbal consent was obtained, and trained research assistants with clinical and nursing backgrounds collected information on age, sex, region of residence, reported CLS/ILS in the preceding 2 weeks, SARS-CoV-2 testing and history of household illness and death. Data were captured on tablets using the Open Data Kit database. We performed a descriptive analysis and presented the frequencies and proportions with graphical representations over time.
Findings: Among 356 525 active phone numbers, 138 751 (38.9%) answered calls, of which 104 360 (75.2%) were eligible, 101 617 (97.4%) consented to participate, and 100 160 (98.6%) completed the interview. Most survey respondents were aged 25-54 years (72.7%) and male (65.1%). The regional distribution of the respondents mirrored the regional population distribution, with 45% (44%) in the southern region, 41% (43%) in the central region and 14% (13%) in the northern region. The reported SARS-CoV2 positivity rate was 11.5% (107/934). Of the 7298 patients who reported CLS/ILS, 934 (12.8%) reported having undergone COVID-19 testing. Of the reported household deaths, 47.2% (982 individuals) experienced CLS/ILS 2 weeks before their death.
Conclusion: Telephonic surveillance indicated that the number of SARS-CoV-2 cases was at least twice as high as the number of confirmed cases in Malawi. Our findings also suggest a substantial under-reporting of SARS-CoV-2-related deaths. Telephonic surveillance has proven feasible in Malawi, achieving the ability to characterise SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality trends in low-resource settings.
Keywords: COVID-19; Cross-sectional survey; Global Health; Public Health; SARS.