Assessing the quality of the Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance system in Edo state, Nigeria 2017

This paper accesses the quality of the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system in Edo state using the May/June 2017 Rapid Surveillance Assessment tool for reviewing existing surveillance systems. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving the Disease surveillance and notification officers (DSNOs), and their assistants (ADSNOs) in all 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs). All the surveillance officers were 100% knowledgeable on the AFP case definition. About, 94% of the ADSNOs knew how the AFP stool specimens were transported. Only 75% and 50% of the DSNOs and ADSNOs respectively could mention all seven AFP differential diagnosis stated in the AFP surveillance guidelines. Active surveillance was conducted by 89% of the DSNOs in their respective LGAs within the last six months prior to this study. Only 22% of the ADSNOs were actively involved in surveillance activities. Records of documentation of AFP surveillance activities dating as far back as three years were readily available at the offices of 90% of the DSNOs and with the state epidemiologist. Edo state has shown attributes of a quality surveillance system in terms of knowledge, AFP surveillance and documentation. We however encourage a surveillance system that is more inclusive with active participation from the ADSNOs.