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Carolina Coutinho, associate editor of RESS, researcher at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
The study “Evaluation of the completeness and timeliness of data in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) for spotted fever in the state of São Paulo, 2007-2017,” published in the journal Epidemiology and Health Services , vol. 32, no. 2 (2023), was conducted by researchers from the University of São Paulo, the State Health Secretariat, and the Superintendence for the Control of Endemic Diseases of the State of São Paulo. The research highlighted weaknesses in the information system and identified the need for future actions aimed at its improvement.
Key attributes, such as completeness and timeliness, related to the notification of spotted fever were analyzed using an ecological time-series approach. This analysis revealed that, although the completeness of essential fields, such as “Date of first serological sample collection” (97.9%) and “Date of hospitalization” (96.6%), was good, variables such as “timeliness of completion” did not meet the recommended standard. Only 59.5% of cases were notified in a timely manner. Furthermore, the collection of the first serological sample within the first 24 hours of notification was performed in only 33% of cases.
The research also identified a trend of increasing completeness levels in post-notification follow-up fields and in the “Closure” section. There was also an increase in the completeness of essential fields during the study period, suggesting improved information quality.
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The results highlighted the importance of communication campaigns targeted at at-risk populations, as well as the ongoing training of healthcare professionals. Furthermore, integration between the SINAN database and reference laboratories was also recommended.
This study demonstrated the relevance of the quality of epidemiological surveillance and the need for the continuous pursuit of improvements in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of health information. These findings can positively impact public health actions, guiding future strategies and contributing to a better understanding of infectious diseases.
XAVIER, DR, et al . Evaluation of the completeness and timeliness of data in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) for spotted fever in the state of São Paulo, 2007-2017. Epidemiol Serv Saúde [online]. 2023, vol. 32, e2022416 [viewed 13 September 2023]. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2237-96222023000200011 . Available from: https://scielosp.org/article/ress/2023.v32n2/e2022416/pt/
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