Indicator-Based Surveillance (IBS) is essential to public health surveillance and monitoring. It is a systematic approach to collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and disseminating data on specific health indicators. These indicators are often selected based on their relevance, utility, and potential to inform public health decisions and actions. In this chapter, we will discuss the role of IBS in field epidemiology, its key features, methods, and applications.

Objectives of Indicator-Based Surveillance

The primary objectives of IBS in field epidemiology are:

• Identifying trends and patterns in the incidence and prevalence of diseases or health events.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of interventions and control measures.
• Detecting outbreaks or unusual occurrences of diseases.
• Informing policy decisions and resource allocation.
• Evaluating the impact of public health programs.

Key Features of Indicator-Based Surveillance

Some of the key features of IBS include:

• Focus on specific health indicators: IBS is centred around collecting and analysing data related to predefined health indicators relevant to the population and the public health issue under investigation.

• Timeliness and periodicity: Data collection and analysis in IBS is done regularly to ensure timely detection of changes in the health indicators, which allows for prompt public health responses.

• Standardization: IBS relies on standardized data collection and reporting methods to ensure consistency, comparability, and accuracy of the data.

• Flexibility: IBS can be adapted to various settings and health issues, making it a versatile tool in field epidemiology.

Steps in Implementing Indicator-Based Surveillance

1. Selection of indicators: The first step is to identify and select relevant health indicators based on the public health priorities and the objectives of the surveillance program.
2. Development of surveillance protocols: Surveillance protocols, including data collection and reporting methods, need to be developed to standardize the process.
3. Training and capacity building: It is essential to train the personnel responsible for data collection and analysis to ensure accurate and reliable data.
4. Data collection: The selected indicators are systematically collected from various sources such as healthcare facilities, laboratories, and administrative records.
5. Data analysis and interpretation: Collected data are analyzed to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies, which are then interpreted in the context of the public health issue under investigation.
6. Dissemination of findings: The results are shared with relevant stakeholders to inform public health actions and policy decisions.
7. Evaluation and feedback: The surveillance system should be periodically evaluated to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Applications of Indicator-Based Surveillance in Field Epidemiology

IBS has been used in various public health settings, including:

• Monitoring infectious diseases: IBS is widely used to monitor the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, among others.
• Tracking non-communicable diseases: IBS can also be used to monitor non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
• Assessing the impact of interventions: IBS can help evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, such as vaccination campaigns or health promotion programs.
• Detecting outbreaks and public health emergencies: IBS can be used to detect outbreaks of infectious diseases or unusual occurrences of health events.
• Informing policy decisions: Data from IBS can be used to guide policy decisions and allocate resources for public health programs.

Reference

• Michael Gregg (ed). Field Epidemiology. 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press. 2008. ISBN: 9780195313802