Assessing the Effectiveness of Disease Surveillance System in Controlling Cholera Outbreak, in Nasarawa State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1013-5799Keywords:
Cholera, Disease Surveillance, Idsr, Outbreak Control, Nasarawa State, Public Health SurveillanceAbstract
Cholera remains a persistent public health threat in Nigeria, primarily driven by inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. Effective disease surveillance systems are essential for early case detection, prompt notification, rapid response, and outbreak containment. This study evaluated the operational effectiveness of Nasarawa State’s disease surveillance system for cholera control. A descriptive, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted among 82 front line health workers including Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), Surveillance Focal Persons, and clinicians across Local Government Areas. Data gathered via structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and document reviews were analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and thematic methods. Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) framework participation was nearly universal (98.8%), with active surveillance as the primary strategy (65.9%). Most facilities defined explicit personnel roles (90.2%) and reported suspected cases within 24 hours (84.1%). However, paper-based reporting predominated, with minimal adoption of digital tools like SORMAS. Critical gaps persisted in laboratory confirmation, logistical support, feedback mechanisms, community-level reporting, and workforce motivation. Nasarawa State’s surveillance system exhibits moderate overall effectiveness, supported by rapid initial reporting. Achieving cholera elimination requires targeted investments in digital surveillance, upgraded laboratory and logistical infrastructure, enhanced community-based reporting, and improved workforce motivation.
References
Abdullahi, H., et al. (2024). Digital health adoption in Nigeria’s surveillance systems. Health Informatics Journal, 30(1), 1–12.
Adewale, O., & Bello, A. (2023). Cholera outbreaks and surveillance gaps in Nigeria. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 16(4), 233–240.
Akinyemi, K., & Okoro, P. (2022). Evaluation of IDSR implementation in Nigeria. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 88–97.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Cholera: Epidemiology and prevention. https://www.cdc.gov
Etang, P., & Momi, J. (2024). Environmental determinants of cholera outbreaks in North-Central Nigeria. African Health Sciences, 24(1), 112–120.
Gidado, S., et al. (2022). Evaluation of outbreak response systems in Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal, 41(1), 120.
Ibrahim, M., & Suleiman, H. (2023). Public health surveillance and outbreak response in West Africa. West African Medical Journal, 40(2), 55–64.
Kalbarczyk, A., Rao, A., Adebayo, A., Decker, E., Gerber, S., & Morgan, R. (2021). The influence of gender dynamics on polio eradication efforts at the community, workplace, and organizational level. Global Health Research and Policy, 6(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-021-00203-5
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. (2021). National technical guidelines for integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR). NCDC.
Ojo, O., & Adebayo, T. (2023). Health workforce motivation and surveillance performance. Human Resources for Health, 21(1), 44–53.
Porta, M. (2024). A dictionary of epidemiology (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Uzondu, C. A., Doctor, H. V., Findley, S. E., Afenyadu, G. Y., & Ager, A. (2015). Female health workers at the doorstep: A pilot of community-based maternal, newborn, and child health service delivery in northern Nigeria. Global Health: Science and Practice, 3(1), 97–108. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-14-00117
Womi, D., Ahmed, K., & Musa, S. (2023). Challenges of disease surveillance in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Public Health, 15(2), 45–56.
World Health Organization. (2021a). Community-based surveillance guidelines. WHO.
World Health Organization. (2021b). Health information systems and surveillance integration. WHO.
World Health Organization. (2021c). Integrated disease surveillance and response in the African region: A guide for countries. WHO Regional Office for Africa.
World Health Organization. (2021d). International health regulations (2005) (3rd ed.). WHO.
World Health Organization. (2021e). Public health surveillance: Toolkit. WHO.
World Health Organization. (2022a). Cholera—Fact sheet. https://www.who.int
World Health Organization. (2023a). Digital health interventions for surveillance systems. WHO.
World Health Organization. (2023b). Global Health Observatory data: Cholera. https://www.who.int
World Health Organization. (2023c). Health emergency preparedness and response. WHO.
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nd ed.). Harper & Row.
Yusuf, A., & Danjuma, M. (2023). Community participation in disease surveillance in Nigeria. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 14(2), 210–218.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmad Yahuza Abdullahi, Adamu Ishaku Akali, Awe Abubakar Halilu, Bashiru Abubakar Shafa, Hauwa Hassan, Abubakar Musa Dan’Iya, Yakubu Daniel Terhemen, Salamatu Mohammed Ibrahim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
