Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007)

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A Quasi-Experimental Intervention for Assessing the Reliability of Public Health Surveillance Systems in Nigeria: A Methodological Evaluation, 2000–2026

Chukwuma Nwachukwu, Federal University of Technology, Akure Chinelo Okonkwo, Department of Clinical Research, University of Calabar Adebayo Adeyemi, University of Maiduguri Fatima Ibrahim, Department of Clinical Research, University of Calabar
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18957391
Published: June 20, 2007

Abstract

{ "background": "Public health surveillance systems in Nigeria face persistent challenges regarding data reliability, which undermines effective outbreak response and health policy formulation. Existing evaluations often lack rigorous, experimental designs to isolate and measure the specific effect of interventions on system performance.", "purpose and objectives": "This study aimed to methodologically evaluate a quasi-experimental intervention designed to measure and improve the reliability of integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) systems. The primary objective was to quantify the intervention's effect on key reliability metrics, including data completeness, timeliness, and concordance.", "methodology": "We employed a controlled, quasi-experimental design with staggered implementation across multiple states. The intervention comprised a standardised training module, integrated digital reporting tools, and structured feedback loops. Reliability was assessed using a difference-in-differences model: $Y{it} = \\beta0 + \\beta1 (\\text{Treatment}{it}) + \\beta2 (\\text{Time}{t}) + \\beta3 (\\text{Treatment}{it} \\times \\text{Time}{t}) + \\epsilon{it}$, where $Y_{it}$ represents reliability outcomes for unit $i$ at time $t$. Inference was based on cluster-robust standard errors.", "findings": "The intervention yielded a statistically significant positive effect on data completeness, with an estimated increase of 22.4 percentage points (95% CI: 18.1 to 26.7) in the intervention group relative to controls. Improvements in timeliness and concordance were also observed, though effect sizes were more heterogeneous across regions.", "conclusion": "The quasi-experimental framework provides a robust methodological approach for quantifying the impact of interventions on surveillance system reliability. The positive results demonstrate the potential of structured, multi-component interventions to enhance data quality.", "recommendations": "We recommend the adoption of this methodological framework for future surveillance system evaluations. Policymakers should consider scaling the specific intervention components, with adaptations for regional heterogeneity,

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Chukwuma Nwachukwu, Chinelo Okonkwo, Adebayo Adeyemi, Fatima Ibrahim (2007). A Quasi-Experimental Intervention for Assessing the Reliability of Public Health Surveillance Systems in Nigeria: A Methodological Evaluation, 2000–2026. African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env), Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18957391

Keywords

Public health surveillanceQuasi-experimental designSystem reliabilityMethodological evaluationSub-Saharan Africa

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007)
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African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env)

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