Saudi Journal of Pathology and Microbiology (SJPM)
Volume-3 | Issue-05 | 140-150
Original Research Article
Role of Surveillance in Combating Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in West Africa – A Systematic Review
K. N. Anueyiagu, S.O. Digba, B.C. Echeonwu
Published : May 30, 2018
Abstract
The largest outbreak to date was the epidemic in West Africa, which
occurred from December 2013 to January 2016 with 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths.
The aim of this work was to assess by a systematic literature review the impact of
surveillance in health systems of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria in
combating Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks. Specific objectives include identifying the
strength of their surveillance systems and exploring the impacts of surveillance on the
containment of Ebola virus disease in the region. The PRISMA procedure was used in
carrying out the study. The SPIDER tool was chosen and modified to establish the
research question. Five databases were searched in this study viz., the Cochrane librarycentral, Medline, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and a grey literature called Open grey.
Studies were critically analyzed and assessed using the Crowe critical appraisal Tool
(CCAT). The search strategy generated a total of 30 articles, out of which 6 articles (5
studies and 1 report) were selected for data extraction. The need for professionalism and
competence cannot be overemphasized in the healthcare and surveillance systems of
West African countries, especially the ones under study.