ASSESSMENT OF THE MALARIAL SURVEILLANCE AND RESPONSE MODEL IN VIETNAM PERIOD 2017-2021

Abstract

To enhance malaria elimination, Vietnam adopted a Reactive Surveillance andResponse (RASR) Strategy in which malaria case notification and investigation must becompleted within 2 days followed by a foci investigation within 7 days. The nationwideperformance of Vietnam’s RASR strategy has yet to be evaluated. This study aims toevaluate the performance and feasibility of RASR in Vietnam, thereby providingrecommendations for improved RASR. Secondary data analysis of nationwide malariacase-based dataset from 2017 to 2021; In Vietnam, there are guidelines and proceduresfor implementation of each step of RASR. Analysis of a total of 12,965 case reports storedin the database for this period, the completeness of case notification on the reportedmonthly aggregated data was very high in both the paper-based (12.463/12.498, 99.7% in2017-2020) and electronic reporting systems (467/467, 100% in 2021 when electronicreporting was introduced); however, there were delays in notification while using thepaper-based system (timely notification – 7.978/12.498, 63.8%). In 2021, thecompleteness (453/467, 97.0%) and timeliness (371/467, 79.4%) of case investigationwere found to be high. Reactive case detection was the major foci investigation response,with fever screening achievement of 88.6% (11.481 / 12.965) and 88.5% (11.471 / 12.965)among index case and neighboring household members respectively. Overall, there waspolicy commitment for implementation of RASR in Vietnam. The completeness andtimeliness of case notification and case investigation were high and improved after theintroduction of the electronic reporting system. More evidence is required for reactivecase detection in defining the screening area or population.