FOR THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER
Epidemiology
doi: 10.25005/2074-0581-2024-26-3-496-507
EVALUATION OF THE MEASLES EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM IN DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN, 2023

O.A. KHAKIMOV1,2, Z.KH. TILLOEVA3, R. HORTH4, R.N. SHARIFOV1,3, D.A. NABIROVA4

1Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
2Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of Shokhmansur, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan
3City Disinfection Station, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan
4Central Asian Training Programme in Applied Epidemiology, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan

Objective: To thoroughly evaluate the current measles epidemiological surveillance (ES) system in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan (RT), to uncover its strong points and areas for improvement.

Methods: The ES system evaluation for measles was conducted from January to May 2023 using updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), USA, for ES system evaluation.

Results: Upon analysis, it was found that the ES system for measles in Dushanbe functions within an overcomplicated framework that does not have proper integration with medical data systems. The current system experiences delays in sharing data at all levels; it is based on passive case detection via patient self-referral. 32.2% of patients visit urban health centers (UHC), while 67.8% go to infectious diseases hospitals. Shortcomings have been found in disseminating knowledge and implementing approved methodological recommendations by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan (MHSPP RT) in the State Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance Service (SSESS) centers. This deficiency is due to the absence of guidelines on the Ministry's official website, the lack of a centralized repository of guidelines, and the unavailability of training platforms for epidemiologists. Although about 80% of patients have access to measles laboratory diagnostics, the system's reliance on external funding raises issues regarding its effectiveness. Insufficient human and financial resources have been identified as barriers to timely decision-making, as illustrated by the delays in rolling out mass supplementary childhood vaccinations in September 2022 following a measles outbreak detected in January 2022.

Conclusion: ing out mass supplementary childhood vaccinations in September 2022 following a measles outbreak detected in January 2022. Conclusion: To achieve the country's objective of eradicating measles, the measles ES system in Dushanbe requires additional funding for emergency outbreak response. Establishing a robust training and information-sharing platform is essential to address the existing deficiencies in disseminating and implementing guidelines

Keywords: Measles, epidemiological surveillance system, assessment, Dushanbe.

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Authors' information:

Khakimov Orifdzhon Akhmadkhodzhaevich,
Head of the Epidemiological Department, Master's Student of the Department of Epidemiology with a Course on HIV Infection, Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov; Epidemiologist, Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of Shokhmansur, Dushanbe
ORCID ID: 0009-0008-3039-8159
E-mail: dxakim90@gmail.com

Tilloeva Zulfiya Khabibulloevna,
Epidemiologist, City Disinfection Station
Researcher ID: AEN-4626-2022
Scopus ID: 57220065383
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7668-1688
SPIN: 9259-9917
E-mail: ztilloeva@gmail.com

Horth Roberta,
MD, MPH, PhD, Director, Central Asian Training Programme in Applied Epidemiology
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1810-2542
E-mail: hxw5@cdc.gov

Sharifov Radzhabali Nuralievich,
Deputy Chief Physician, Epidemiologist, City Disinfection Station; Master's Student of the Department of Epidemiology with the Course of HIV Infection, Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov
Researcher ID: GLR-2225-2022
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2470-4267
SPIN: 7827-9350
Author ID: 1064310
E-mail: sharifovraj@gmail.com

Nabirova Dilyara Azizovna,
MD, MPH, PhD, Advisor, Central Asian Training Programme in Applied Epidemiology
Scopus ID: 57195684351
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0314-2202
E-mail: hny5@cdc.gov

Information about support in the form of grants, equipment, medications

This assessment was made possible by the FETP/CDC program and with the support of the MHSPP RT. The authors did not receive financial support from manufacturers of medicines and medical equipment

Conflicts of interest: No conflict

Address for correspondence:

Khakimov Orifdzhon Akhmadkhodzhaevich
Head of the Epidemiological Department, Master's Student of the Department of Epidemiology with a Course on HIV Infection, Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov; Epidemiologist, Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of Shokhmansur, Dushanbe

735140, Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Ayni str., 22

Tel.: +992 (918) 739590

E-mail: dxakim90@gmail.com


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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