Factors Associated With Detection And Reporting Of Suspected Yellow Fever Cases In The Greater Accra Region

ABSTRACT Introduction: Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegyptii mosquito and is characterized mainly by fever and jaundice. It is endemic in Africa and South America. The possibility of eradicating yellow fever is quite remote but a drastic of disease burden can be attained through vaccination of populations living in or visiting places considered to be high-risk areas in endemic countries. The WHO surveillance case definition for a suspected case of yellow fever is any case presenting with acute onset of fever, with jaundice appearing within 14 days of onset of the first symptoms. WHO recommended strategy for controlling yellow fever is through detection, reporting, preventing and controlling outbreaks and vaccination with the 170 yellow fever vaccine. A number of factors affect the detection and reporting of suspected cases but these can be improved through heightened surveillance. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with detection and reporting "suspected yellow fever cases in the Greater Accra Region and how to possibly improve on the of reporting of suspected cases. Methods: I he study is a cross sectional survey of clinicians who are directly involved in attending to patients and district disease control surveillance officers in the Greater Accra region. Clinicians were selected from government, quasi-government and private facilities. Disease control officers were selected from the 21 operational districts in the Greater Accra Region.