Abstract

MUNOZ, Mara; MARTINEZ DE CUELLAR, Celia  and  ASSIS, Dalva. Timeliness of the Dengue Vigilance System in Paraguay: Seasonal Effects and Characteristics of Cases in Children under Age 15, 2010-2012. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2015, vol.42, n.1, pp.11-16. ISSN 1683-9803.  https://doi.org/10.18004/ped.2015.abril.11-16.

Introduction: Information flow for surveillance of dengue in Paraguay reaches from primary facilities to the national level, and includes prescribed reporting deadlines. Objectives: To determine seasonal effects, describe cases in children under age 15 epidemiologically, and quantify timeliness of entry into data systems. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study using Dengue Reports from 2010 through 2012. Timeliness of access to service, case-report completion, recording, transmittal, and data entry were assessed.  Results: A total of 112,944 case reports were recorded; 21,557 in 2010, 51,763 in 2011, and 39,624 in 2012, with 90% of cases recorded in the first six months of the year.  Some 21% of cases were in patients under age 15 (mean: 8.6 years), without differences by sex.  Time to access-to-services was 2-3 days in 2010-2011, and 3 days in 2012. Time to case report completion was 1 day in 2010, 2 days in 2011, and 3 days in 2012. Time to recording was 24 days in 2010, 22 days in 2011, and 6 days in 2012. Time to transmittal of case-reports was 6 days in 2010, 22 days in 2011, and 5 days in 2012, while time to data entry was 9 days in 2010, 2 days in 2011, and 1 day in 2012. Conclusions: A majority of reports occur in the first six months of the year, indicating the seasonal nature of the disease. The completion of case reports is timely, but their transmittal untimely, which can affect control of disease transmission sites.

Keywords : Dengue; disease notification; surveillance; epidemiology; Paraguay.

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