Abstract
PURPOSE: Epidemiological surveillance is recommended in health systems to monitor existing and emerging health threats and guide the response to epidemics. This study was conducted to assess the distribution of tools and practice of epidemiological surveillance in health facilities in the littoral region of Cameroon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the health districts of the littoral region of Cameroon from April to May 2024. This study targeted health facilities selected through stratified random sampling from eight health districts. Surveyors collected data using a face-to-face structured questionnaire administered to the head of each health facility on the implementation of epidemiological surveillance activities. RESULTS: Of the 345 health facilities reached, 320 (92.8%) consented to participate. Of 320 health facilities, 252 (78.8%) declared that they were involved in the implementation of epidemiological surveillance. None of the eight health districts had all of their facilities involved in disease surveillance. Less than 30% of health facilities conduct surveillance for hemorrhagic fever while approximately 80-90% conduct surveillance for cholera, measles, and yellow fever. Only 14 (5.6%) health facilities declared to conduct surveillance of all events. A total of 200 (79.4%) health facilities had at least one personnel trained in epidemiological surveillance and the mean number of personnel trained per health facility was 2.2 (±1.7). Nurses were the category more frequently involved in epidemiological surveillance (95.2%). A total of 123 (48.8%), 78 (31.0%), and 217 (86.1%) health facilities had registers/line listings, integrated disease surveillance and response guide, and notification forms, respectively. CONCLUSION: Health facilities' coverage regarding the implementation of epidemiological surveillance remains limited with the situation being more critical in private confessional health facilities. The implementation of epidemiological surveillance in health facilities needs to be monitored, and personnel training and surveillance tools should be considered.