221667 Preparing for the 2009 Hajj: Training and piloting a mobile-based real-time surveillance system during the 2009 Umrah Ramadan

Monday, November 8, 2010

Ngozi Adaeze Erondu, MPH , Global Public Health Informatics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Ahmad Baghal, MS, MD, MPH , Global Public Health Informatics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Wei Li, MD, MS , Gphi, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Carl Kinkade, MS , Cchi, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Tadesse Wuhib, MD , CDC, NCPHI, Atlanta, GA
Mohammad Almazroa, MD MPH , Field Epidemiology Training Program, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Nageeb, MD MCM , Field Epidemiology Training Program, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ziad Memish, MD MPH , Assistant Deputy Minister of Health for Preventive Medicine, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Scott J. N. McNabb, PhD , Ncphi, DISSS, CDC, Atlanta, GA
Background: Approximately 2 million Muslims from >140 countries annually embark on the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Given the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) global outbreak, the KSA Ministry of Health (MOH) hosted an International Consultation on Infectious Disease Prevention and Control for Hajj and Umrah. The consultants recommended establishing a hand-held data-collection surveillance system, and KSA's MOH in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed and deployed a Mobile-based Disease Surveillance System (MDSS). Before and during Ramadan Umrah (August 2009), KSA MOH participants were trained on the system and pilot-tested it. The recommendations from this pilot-test guided process and system modifications that enhanced MDSS for the Hajj (November 2009). Methods: During a 2-week period in Jeddah, KSA, 41 healthcare practitioners participated in two MDSS trainings. Among them, 59% (n = 24) were trained as MDSS supervisors and trainers who then trained project interviewers. After training, a 3-day MDSS pilot-test was performed in four hospitals in Makkah, KSA. Participants evaluated the training by completing pre- and posttest questionnaires and by providing feedback in a pilot posttest focus group. Results: Trainees reported that they were sufficiently trained for mobile data collection. The focus group recommendations included adding Arabic language support and establishing dedicated lines of Internet access for MDSS. Additionally, participants reported that real-time data feed can allow situational awareness for H1N1 and other reportable diseases. Technical concerns, customizable components, and questionnaire modifications were also noted. Conclusion: As a result of the MDSS training and pilot-test, the full version was executed in KSA during the 2009 Hajj. The findings provide implications for future infectious disease preparedness and surveillance for mass gatherings.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Epidemiology
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
1)Explain the advantages of a hand-held data-collection disease surveillance system during mass gatherings. 2)Evaluate the effectiveness of the trainings for the mobile-based disease surveillance system. 3)Discuss the pilot posttest recommended changes to the mobile-based disease surveillance system.

Keywords: Information Systems, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I participated in training and conducted the evaluation of this project. I also participated in writing the submitted abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.