JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

electronic Integrated Disease Early Warning System (eIDEWS) is an essential system, it contributes to better prevention and management of epidemics. Through the collection of complete, accurate, and timely data, countries are able to determine the priorities for suitable interventions that save the life of communities. Regardless of the conflict in Yemen, the system is still functioning and expanding to be the most effective epidemiological surveillance program

Objective:

To determine the usefulness of the eIDEWS, assess its performance, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of its implementation

Methods:

The usefulness and performance attributes of eIDEWS were evaluated using CDC’s updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems. The evaluation was carried out in Sana’a capital from January to March 2021, by interviewing 25 stakeholders in three levels: central, governorate, and health district using a semi-structured questionnaire. Attributes of the system were ranked as poor (<60), average (60- <80), good (80- <90), and excellent (≥90) on the basis of indicators to calculate the final scores.

Results:

The eIDEWS overall usefulness and performance score was (90%) with an excellent rank. The mean of system attributes was 100% for acceptability, completeness, and timeliness. The flexibility was good (83%) since the change in reporting method is applied difficultly. The system is depending completely on foreign funds thus system’s stability was average (75%), However, eIDEWS was expanded recently to add new health facilities, the representativeness was average (76%).

Conclusions:

The system is working effectively at evaluated sites. The overall system performance was excellent, however, flexibility and stability were good due to the negative adaptation of the system with the reporting method and the absence of other fund resources. Therefore, evaluating the new upgrade system, strengthening the stability by finding other supporting resources, moreover further expand coverage to include all public and private healthcare facilities are recommended.