Development of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Surveillance System along Thai-Laos Cross Border, Nongkhai province: An applied MOU

Abstract

The objectives of this research was to develop Tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control surveillance system along Thai-Laos cross-border, Nongkhai province. The Research and Development was applied in study and conducted between November 2011 and September 2012. The study divided in 2 phase. Phase 1: situation analysis and agreement of stakeholders for MOU development 30 participants from Nongkhai province and 20 participants from Vientiane, Xaignabouli and Bolikhamxai. Data collection by group discussion from TB clinic staffs from both Thai and Laos. Phase 2: development of TB prevention and surveillance system and implement the system in cross-border. Data collection by group discussion, questionnaires, and evaluation form. Analysis by descriptive  statistics and content analysis. Development of TB prevention and control surveillance system along Thai-Laos cross-border in this research was evaluated by 5 experts. The results were as follow

• MOU was development between Nongkhai province Health Office and Vientiane Health Office. The MOU consisted of policy reference in ministry and local, MBDS surveillance  system and co-ordination between cross-border, including referral and reporting system and academic conference twice a year.
• Development of TB prevention and control surveillance system including 4 factors;    1) input: appraisal objective, duties and responsibilities, appraisal methods and tools, user  involved in system, time frame to be on going and the result utilization.  2) process: plan, do, check. 3) output: memorandum of understanding, the reporting tuberculosis patients, revealed that  satisfaction stakeholder 4) feedbacks  and evaluated by 5 experts of the developed system on four dimensions: accuracy, feasibility, propriety and, utility.   
• The outcome of report to the surveillance system. After implement TB prevention and contract surveillance system, the TB reported case increase from 1 case to 28 cases in 1 year surveillance.     
• The satisfaction of stakeholder to the surveillance system after evaluation were ranked at high level in all
• The evaluation of development of TB prevention and control surveillance system along Thai-Laos cross-border, Nongkhai province by 5 experts were in high level.

            In conclusion, MOU is the tool for reference and co-ordinate between stakeholders and network cross-border  to develop surveillance system such as TB or other emerging diseases with high risk and health threat.