| ackground: A Surveillance System was established for 19 diseases/syndromes in order to prevent and control
communicable diseases after 2012 East Azerbaijan earthquakes. This study was conducted to investigate the
strengths and weaknesses of the established SS.
Methods: This study was carried out on an interview-based qualitative study using content analysis in 2012.
Data was collected by semi-structured deep interviews and surveillance data. Fifteen interviews were
conducted with experts and health system managers who were engaged in implementing the communicable
disease surveillance system in the affected areas. The selection of participants was purposeful. Data saturation
supported the sample size. The collected data was analyzed using the principles suggested by Strauss and
Corbin.
Results: Establishment of the disease surveillance system was rapid and inexpensive. It collected the required
data fast. It also increased confidence in health authorities that the diseases would be under control in
earthquake-stricken regions. Non estimated denominator for calculating the rates (incidence & prevalence), nonparticipation of the private sector and hospitals, rapid turnover of health staff and unfamiliarity with the
definitions of the diseases were the weak points of the established disease SS.
Conclusion: During the time when surveillance system was active, no significant outbreak of communicable
diseases was reported. However, the surveillance system had some weaknesses. Thus, considering Iran’s
susceptibility to various natural hazards, repeated exercises should be conducted in the preparedness phase to
decrease the weaknesses. In addition, other types of surveillance system such as web-based or mobile-based
systems should be piloted in disaster situations for future. |