Vol. 1 No. 1 (2023)

View Issue TOC

A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for the Methodological Evaluation and Yield Optimisation of Public Health Surveillance Systems in Kenya: A Research Protocol (2000–2026)

Wanjiku Mwangi, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi Kipkorir Bett, Moi University Amina Hassan, Department of Clinical Research, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Kamau Ochieng, Strathmore University
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18947545
Published: December 2, 2023

Abstract

Public health surveillance systems in Kenya are critical for disease control but their methodological evaluation has been limited, often relying on descriptive statistics that fail to quantify uncertainty or integrate heterogeneous data sources for yield optimisation. This protocol details the development and application of a novel Bayesian hierarchical model to methodologically evaluate surveillance system performance and identify evidence-based strategies for optimising case detection yield. We will analyse longitudinal, district-level surveillance data. The core model is $y_{it} \sim \text{Poisson}(\lambda_{it})$, with $\log(\lambda_{it}) = \alpha + \beta X_{it} + u_i + v_t + \epsilon_{it}$, where $u_i$ and $v_t$ are structured spatial and temporal random effects. Model parameters will be estimated using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo, with posterior credible intervals used for inference on yield improvements attributable to specific interventions. As this is a protocol, no empirical findings are presented. The anticipated analysis will quantify, for instance, the posterior probability that integrating community health worker reports increases yield by a specified proportion, providing a probabilistic measure of intervention efficacy. The proposed model provides a rigorous, probabilistic framework for the methodological evaluation of surveillance systems, moving beyond point estimates to full uncertainty quantification. Future surveillance evaluations should adopt Bayesian hierarchical modelling to inform targeted resource allocation. Policymakers should use the probabilistic outputs for risk-aware decision-making in system strengthening. Bayesian hierarchical model, surveillance evaluation, yield optimisation, public health, Kenya, uncertainty quantification This protocol introduces a novel application of Bayesian hierarchical modelling for the methodological evaluation of public health surveillance, providing a new tool for quantifying uncertainty in yield improvements and optimising detection strategies.

Full Text:

Read the Full Article

The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.

How to Cite

Wanjiku Mwangi, Kipkorir Bett, Amina Hassan, Kamau Ochieng (2023). A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for the Methodological Evaluation and Yield Optimisation of Public Health Surveillance Systems in Kenya: A Research Protocol (2000–2026). African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env), Vol. 1 No. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18947545

Keywords

Bayesian hierarchical modellingpublic health surveillancehealth systems evaluationsub-Saharan AfricaKenyayield optimisationmethodological framework

Research Snapshot

Desktop reading view
Language
EN
Formats
HTML + PDF
Publication Track
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2023)
Current Journal
African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env)

References