Chapter 12

Question 1

What is the definition of surveillance

Answer 1

The ‘systematic and continuous collection, analysis and interpretation of data, closely integrated with the timely and coherent dissemination of the results and assessment to those who have the right to know so that action can be taken’

Question 2

Why conduct surveillance?

Answer 2

1. To detect cluster or outbreaks
2. To quantify the burden of disease (infectious and chronic)
3. To asses the prevalence of disease risk factors
4. To inform public health interventions and policies
5. To monitor the effect of public health interventions and policies
6. To support disease elimination and eradication
7. Health service planning

Question 3

What are the 4 key steps in surveillance?

Answer 3

1. Collection of data
2. Collation and cleaning of data
3. Analysis and interpretation of data
4. Dissemination of the results to those who can take action

Question 4

What are the two types of surveillance?

Answer 4

Indicator-based surveillance
Event-based surveillance

Question 5

What is Indicator-based surveillance?

Answer 5

Systematic data collection methods to track new cases of a disease or condition over a specific time period
- This is a formal approach with clear case definitions

Question 6

What is event-based surveillance

Answer 6

Involves the capture of less structured information to identify events that pose a potential threat to public health
- This is an informal approach, often has loose or non-existent case definitions to ensure system is highly sensitive and all possible outbreaks are reported

Question 7

Indicator-based or event-based surveillance?
Notifiable disease reporting - Healthcare providers, laboratories, and other reporting entities are required to report new cases of a disease to health authorities

Answer 7

Indicator-based

Question 8

Indicator-based or event-based surveillance?
- Approach relies on informal, unstructured reports

Answer 8

Event-based

Question 9

Indicator-based or event-based surveillance?
- Electronic medical records

Answer 9

Indicator-based surveillance?

Question 10

Indicator-based or event-based surveillance?
- Sentinel surveillance - data is collected from selected healthcare facilities or practitioners that act as “sentinels” for a larger population

Answer 10

Indicator-based surveillance?

Question 11

Indicator-based or event-based surveillance?
- Draws from rumours, media reports, digital surveillance

Answer 11

Event-based surveillance?