Abstract:
Hepatitis is an infectious disease which is public health importance in Ghana. Hepatitis Surveillance systems is the main pillar of public health practice and decision making. The objective of disease surveillance systems is to ensure effective monitoring and control. Studies have been conducted on viral hepatitis surveillance system but not much is written on KAP. This study was conducted to assess completeness, timeliness and sensitivity, as well as the knowledge, attitudes, practices of health workers on the hepatitis surveillance system.
A cross sectional study and review of 8 Government health facilities’ records between January 2015 and December 2016was carried out using purposive sampling technique to assess the completeness, timeliness and sensitivity of the hepatitis surveillance system. Seventy-six health workers involved in the Integrated Disease Surveillance System were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to the hepatitis surveillance system. Data on socio-demographic characteristics of health workers were also collected. Data was analysed using descriptive and bivariate analysis.
The data obtained from the hepatitis surveillance system was found to be incomplete, and reporting of data was not timely. In general, the documentation of the surveillance system was poor, and the sensitivity was rather low.
Respondent’s knowledge on monthly surveillance reporting, signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis, and hepatitis prevention through vaccination is 92.11% (70), 75% (57), and 84.21% (64) respectively. On respondents’ attitude of hepatitis surveillance, 22.37% (17) agree the surveillance system is too burdensome, 72.37% (55) do not agree that all viral hepatitis cases are captured by the surveillance system, and 92.11% (70) agree that IDRS is really necessary.
On respondents’ practices of the surveillance system, 84.21% (64) actively search for viral hepatitis cases at the health facilities.
Health care workers need in-service training on the surveillance system to imbibe in them the importance of accurate data recording, routine analysis and timely communication and dissemination of results for decision making, policy and programs review.
