SURVELLANCE ON AIDS CASES IN ETIllOPIA

Abstract

SUMMARY: The surveillance system for AIDS cases was introduced in Ethiopia at the beginning of 1989. This was preceded by the preparation of clinical surveillance guidelines and training for physicians at the national and regional levels. The guidelines contained descriptions of the referral system, the activities to be carried out, and recording/reporting forms to be used for this purpose. The trained physicians were given the responsibilities of carrying out the surveillance in their respective hospitals and to maintain regular reporting on the activities .A review of the surveillance activity of the last two years, revealed that 526 (82.7 %) of the patients were reported in 1989 and 1990, after the introduction of the system. Moreover, there was marked improvement in the quality of the reports on the patients. However, from the report presented by different supervisory AIDS, it was identified that the surveillance system was not properly introduced in several health institutions outside Addis Ababa. This indicates the need for regular training and support to the physicians involved in AIDS case surveillance, and for periodic revision of the surveillance system.