Evaluation of Influenza Disease Surveillance System in Khon Kaen Province, Year 2024

Abstract

This descriptive cross-sectional study, “Evaluating the Influenza Surveillance System in Khon Kaen Province in 2024,” aimed to investigate the influenza reporting procedures, assess quantitative and qualitative characteristics, identify problems and obstacles, and suggest improvements to the influenza surveillance system in Khon Kaen Province. Data was collected from medical record transcripts of patients with influenza and other similar illnesses who received treatment from January 1st to December 31st, 2024, and from focus group discussions with stakeholders in the influenza surveillance system at 6 hospitals in Khon Kaen Province.

Quantitative findings from a review of 768 medical records revealed 433 patients correctly diagnosed according to the definition of influenza, with 537 reported inpatients (D506). The sensitivity was 85.70% (95% CI: 82.70 to 88.60), with a positive predictive value of 82.50% (95% CI: 79.00 to 85.60). The completeness and accuracy of recording variables such as age, gender, address, and date of treatment was 100%. The system is representative and timely, achieving 96.96% accuracy. In terms of qualitative characteristics, management and personnel acknowledge and appreciate the importance of the surveillance system. The system is simple, flexible, stable, and its data is useful. Regarding problems and obstacles, incomplete patient histories affect reporting, and the accuracy of recording the onset date of illness is low (9.86%). There is a need for better communication and understanding of the definition of influenza in patients among relevant personnel.