A Different Kind of Partnership: Ghana School-based Student Health Surveillance System (GSSHSS)

Introduction: Use of evidenced-based public health policy initiatives is a key goal for the World Health Organization (WHO) and member states such as Ghana. However, initiatives providing vital data for evidence-based public health policies are often plagued by sustainability issues. This presentation describes the coalition responsible for the successful implementation and on-going management of a national (Ghana) level surveillance system. The system known as the Ghana School-based Student Health Surveillance System (GSSHSS) monitors health behaviors and protective factors among all secondary school students. GSSHSS utilizes the WHO Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) as the primary instrument.

Coalition: Instead of the traditional GSHS model of direct WHO interaction with host organization in member country, Ghana with concurrence from WHO is utilizing an expanded model of direct actors. Project partners include Ghana Education Service (GES), Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO (Headquarters), WHO (Country [Ghana] office), and the Maria Tsakos Foundation.

Impact: Ghana has conducted more rounds of GSHS data collection compared to other Sub-Saharan Africa nations in past 7 years; over 17,000 students surveyed from all 10 geographic regions; more efficient funding model compared to other nations; program sustained despite regular turnover of key personnel at GES (local host); increasing use of Ghana GSHS data as basis for key school health policy revisions/adoptions by government and non-governmental institutions.

Conclusion: The successful implementation and ongoing effectiveness of the Ghana GSHS surveillance system demonstrates the value of building meaningful coalitions for international programs.