An-Najah Staff

Disease surveillance systems require that data are complete and submitted on time so that effective prevention and control measures can be initiated promptly. Qatar is in the elimination phase of measles control. A retrospective review of records was conducted in Qatar to evaluate the timeliness of notification and completeness of measles surveillance data. All the notification and investigation forms for the year 2008 were analysed. About 85% of the notification forms were missing at least 2 of the WHO recommended minimum data elements, and only 27.8% of the suspected measles cases were reported within 2 days. Lack of vaccination status information and blood specimen collection were the most prominent defects in the notification forms. The major deficiency in the investigation forms were information on the source of infection, measles serology results and date of blood specimen collection. Ways to improve the quality of the notification system need to be investigated.

Qatar is in the elimination phase of measles control which requires every suspected measles case to be notified and investigated immediately This cross-sectional study aimed to assess physicians' self-reported knowledge and practices concerning measles surveillance and the support they received. Of 290 physicians participating in the study, only 22.4% met the criterion for best practice in measles surveillance (i.e. knowing and applying the case definition and immediately ordering the correct blood test and immediately reporting suspected cases). Only 14.1% reported getting training and feedback on surveillance. Physicians supervised on their surveillance activities had significantly better surveillance practices than non-supervised physicians, whereas physicians who received training and feedback on their surveillance activities did not perform any better than those who did not. We recommend training activities for physicians and health care workers involved in the measles control as well a system of feedback to health care workers.

Influenza A/H1N1 new vaccine helps control disease spread. Cross-sectional survey was conducted at PHC & Emergency Departments in Qatar to determine influenza A/H1N1 vaccination rate among HCWs and associated factors, 523 HCWs were enrolled. The study showed that 13.4% HCWs received vaccination. Feeling protected strongly influenced vaccination decision (OR = 14.5). Uncertainty about vaccine efficacy and fear of side effects strongly influenced decision to reject the vaccine (OR = 0.3 and 0.2 respectively). Vaccination coverage was very low. The most common barriers were uncertainty about vaccine efficacy and fear of side effects. Health authorities should build message highlighting how the benefit of vaccination outweighs risk.