Perceptions of Healthcare Workers on the Attributes of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System in Zimbabwe
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Date
2024
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Abstract
Objective: To investigate healthcare workers' perceptions of the integrated disease
surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers (HCWs) was conducted from
December 2021 to June 2022 to assess their perceptions of the IDSR system attributes.
Results: Of the 409 respondents, 12 (2.9%) reported no prior training on disease surveillance.
The IDSR was deemed simple, acceptable, useful, and timely by most participants. There
were sharp differences in perceptions of flexibility and simplicity between doctors and the
other healthcare professionals. However, acceptability, timeliness, and usefulness were
uniformly perceived. Healthcare workers with at least 11-years’ experience perceived the
usefulness of the IDSR system significantly higher than those with lesser years of experience.
However, work experience did not have an impact on HCWs perceptions of the simplicity,
timeliness, and flexibility of the IDSR system.
Conclusions: Most healthcare workers have positive perceptions of the IDSR approach.
However, there are reservations about how well the system can adapt to changing conditions
and demands (flexibility) and how well it simplifies the implementation processes. These
findings demonstrate the necessity of adopting cutting-edge strategies for capacity building as
well as ongoing professional development of healthcare professionals responsible for the
implementation of the IDSR strategy.
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Citation
Mteliso, F., Adalier, A., Malunguza, N.J. and Chiyaka, E.T., 2024. Perceptions of Healthcare Workers on the Attributes of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response System in Zimbabwe. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, pp.1-19.