Table 2 Participants’ consensus status on the importance of recommendation statements (N = 50)

n (%)

n (%)

n (%)

Core Functions

Case detection, registration and confirmation

Need to update surveillance guidelines currently in use at the sub-national level

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Need to update the available PC-NTDs case definitions currently in use at the sub-national level

41 (82)

3 (6)

6 (12)

Training is required on practical application of the available PC-NTDs case definitions

50 (100)

-

-

Availing case registers specific for registering PC-NTD cases is necessary

35 (70)*

4 (8)

11 (22)

All PC-NTDs need confirmation at the lower surveillance levels

33 (66)*

4 (8)

13 (26)

Increased number of laboratories at lower surveillance levels is required to improve PC-NTDs case confirmation capacity

45 (90)

2 (4)

3 (6)

Need to properly equip laboratories at the health facility level to improve PC-NTDs case confirmation

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Need to provide an adequate number of skilled laboratory health personnel for effective confirmation of PC-NTDs

50 (100)

-

-

Reporting

Need to ensure reporting forms are always readily available in all surveillance levels

50 (100)

-

-

Need to avail updated reporting guidelines at the sub-national level

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Need to list all PC-NTDs in the existing reporting forms to improve surveillance data capture

45 (90)

-

5 (10)

Immediate reporting of PC-NTD cases is required to improve planned response actions

44 (88)

2 (4)

4 (8)

Need to adopt electronic reporting tools to improve transmission of PC-NTDs surveillance data to the next level

50 (100)

-

-

Frequent training on reporting PC-NTDs using existing reporting forms is required

50 (100)

-

-

Need to allocate adequate time for surveillance reports preparation and submission to the next levels

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Data Analysis

Need to enhance PC-NTDs surveillance data analysis at the sub-national level

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Analysis of PC-NTDs surveillance data should be conducted on a routine-basis

42 (84)

4 (8)

4 (8)

Trend analysis of PC-NTDs reported cases should be undertaken periodically

45 (90)

-

5 (10)

Enhanced training on PC-NTDs surveillance data analysis is required

50 (100)

-

-

Clearly formulated PC-NTDs action thresholds are required

50 (100)

-

-

Need to provide adequate data analysis tools and equipment

50 (100)

-

-

Feedback

Need to improve feedback on PC-NTDs surveillance data at the sub-national level

50 (100)

-

-

Need for timely feedback on PC-NTDs surveillance data reported to the next level

50 (100)

-

-

Regular feedback on reported PC-NTDs surveillance data is required

47 (94)

-

3 (6)

Need to adapt improved electronic feedback mechanisms

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Increased feedback on PC-NTDs to lower surveillance levels is required

46 (92)

-

4 (8)

Epidemic preparedness and response

Updated PC-NTDs outbreak preparedness and response protocols are required

50 (100)

-

-

Need for outbreak response teams to be well-constituted to respond to probable PC-NTDs outbreaks

47 (94)

1 (2)

2 (4)

Need for emergency supplies to adequately respond to probable PC-NTDs outbreaks

50 (100)

-

-

Regular training on PC-NTDs outbreak preparedness and response is required

50 (100)

-

-

Support Functions

Supervision

Need to enhance supervision of PC-NTDs surveillance activities at the sub-national level

50 (100)

-

-

Regular supervision of PC-NTDs surveillance activities undertaken at the lower levels is required

46 (92)

-

4 (8)

Formulation of supervisory schedules for PC-NTDs surveillance activities is necessary

45 (90)

-

5 (10)

Increased frequency of supervisory visits at the lower surveillance levels is required

42 (84)

1 (2)

7 (14)

Training and sensitisation of all health workers regarding supervisory activities is required

46 (92)

2 (4)

2 (4)

Need for properly constituted supervisory teams to adequately supervise PC-NTDs surveillance activities

50 (100)

-

-

Need for adequate resource provision to support supervision of PC-NTDs surveillance activities

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Need for increased participation of the community levels to support supervision of PC-NTDs surveillance activities

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Training

Need for training on disease surveillance conducted at sub-national level to focus on PC-NTDs

49 (98)

-

1 (2)

Regular training specifically on PC-NTDs surveillance activities is necessary

50 (100)

-

-

All health workers need to be involved in training on PC-NTDs surveillance activities

35 (70)*

3 (6)

12 (24)

Availing adequate training materials and equipment is necessary across all surveillance levels

50 (100)

-

-

Need to retain trained surveillance staff across all surveillance levels

50 (100)

-

-

Resources

Increased funding is required to support PC-NTDs surveillance activities

50 (100)

-

-

Availing electronic communication equipment for transmission of PC-NTDs surveillance data is required

50 (100)

-

-

Improved transport and logistical support is necessary to facilitate PC-NTDs surveillance activities

50 (100)

-

-

Increasing the number of health workers involved in PC-NTDs surveillance activities is necessary

41 (82)

5 (10)

4 (8)

Increasing the number of designated surveillance focal persons is required

33 (66)*

6 (12)

11 (22)

Need for improved telecommunication channels to support transmission of surveillance data

49 (98)

1 (2)

-

Need for improved means of transportation to facilitate surveillance activities

50 (100)

-

-

Attribute Functions

Simplicity

Simplification of existing guidelines for completing reporting forms is required

46 (92)

-

4 (8)

Need to simplify available forms to ease reporting of PC-NTDs

36 (72)

-

14 (28)

Need to simplify PC-NTDs case definitions to ease application

42 (84)

-

8 (16)

Need to simplify methods for PC-NTDs surveillance data collection and analysis

44 (88)

-

6 (12)

Acceptability

Need for the health managers to support PC-NTDs surveillance activities in the region

50 (100)

-

-

PC-NTDs need to be considered of public health importance in the region

50 (100)

-

-

Stability

Need for challenges facing PC-NTDs surveillance activities to be addressed with minimal delays

50 (100)

-

-

Sufficient resources to support PC-NTDs surveillance activities are required

50 (100)

-

-

Flexibility

Need for existing surveillance systems to be well adapted to reporting all PC-NTDs in the region

50 (100)

-

-

Existing surveillance systems need to adapt easily to changes in PC-NTDs information needs

50 (100)

-

-