Epidemiology Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture In-service Applied Veterinary

Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) Program

Assessment of animal health surveillance data quality audit in Lume district, Oromia, Ethiopia

By :
Group 3 members

June 2022
Bishoftu,Oromia
Table of Contents
List of table.....................................................................................................................................................ii
List of figure...................................................................................................................................................iii
List of abbreviation........................................................................................................................................iv
Abstract..........................................................................................................................................................v
1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................1
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS....................................................................................................................3
2.1 Study Area............................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Data collection and study design..........................................................................................................3
2.3 Data analysis.........................................................................................................................................3
3. RESULTS..................................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Use of Laboratory In Field Investigation/Surveillance....................................................................4
3.2 Surveillance Data Source, Collection And Flow Chart...........................................................................4
3.3 Assessment of Dovars Audits................................................................................................................5
4. DISCUSSION............................................................................................................................................8
5. CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................................9
6. RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................................10
7.REFERANCE................................................................................................................................................11
 List of table
Table 1. Lume district veterinarian workforce..................................................................................2
Table 2. Mortality rate of outbreaks for 2 year..................................................................................5

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 List of figure

Figure 1. Surveillance data flow of lume district...............................................................................5

Figure 2. Mortality rate of outbreaks for 2 year.................................................................................5
Figure 3. Data quality audit result of lume district.............................................................................6
Figure 4: Evidence of inapropirate writing, missing data(OB reference number) kebelle, miss
placed, inapropirate dating (reporting in the mid of month)..............................................................7

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 List of abbreviation

DOVAR…………………. Disease Outbreak and Vaccination Report

FAO……………………... Food and agricultural organization
FMD……………………..Foot and mouth disease
MoA……………………..Minister of agricultural
NCD…………………….. New castle disease

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Abstract
Data quality refers to completeness, accuracy and timeliness of data gathered. Despite
consistent monthly reporting and clinical case registration, so far there is no document which
could provide evidence for the quality status of surveillance data of the livestock sector at
woreda level in Ethiopia. Retrospective case study was conducted in lume woreda of Oromia
regional state. The objective of the study is to assess the animal health surveillance data of the
woreda and to provide new recommendations. The DOVAR format of the woreda from 2020-
2021 reviewed for the completeness and accuracy. The overall data quality and related issues
of the lume woreda were assessed by using a structured interview questions. In the assessed
reports there are 19% missing data and 81% inaccurate. From the total 24 DOVAR format
which are expected to be sent every month in the past 2 years, only21 (87.5%) reports were
found in the woreda office. Reports sent in 2020 and 2021 are 11(91.6%) and 10(83%)
respectively. So the performance of DOVAR report of lume wereda is 87.5 %( 21/24). There
were only 3 (22.7%) (1 FMD, 1 NCD and 1 Parascosis) outbreak reports in the past 2 years.
The rest of the reports 17 (80.9%) are zero reports. Out of 21 reviewed reports 19.1% (4/21)
have missing data while 80.9% (17 /21) have aproblem of accuracy.Surveillance data of the
woreda have the problem of completeness, accuracy and timeliness. Data collectors didn’t
received training on surveillance. The woreda retain the collected data but do not analyze it.
Therefore the woreda should develop clear objectives about the data that is needed; develop a
clear plan about the best way of obtaining the data; use standardized formats that can capture
the data required; train people on how to collect accurate and reliable data; store and retain
data.

Keywords: Accuracy, Completeness, Data quality, Surveillance Data

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 1. INTRODUCTION

Surveillance is necessary to understand the health status of the animals in the country, so identify
the problems and take appropriate action. However, diverse countries have very different
requirements and capacities for surveillance. For example, a wealthy nation with few diseases that
depends on the export of animals and animal products will have sophisticated surveillance systems
to safeguard trade. Poor nations without controlled land borders with other nations that frequently
experience epidemic disease outbreaks will not be able to maintain sophisticated surveillance
systems, so they will focus primarily on reducing the effects of major animal diseases.

Good surveillance data quality is vital for accurate planning and to apply timely and appropriate
interventions. Data is a collection of items of information. It can be defined as the elements of
measurements recorded during data collection. Ensuring that routine health data is accurate,
timely, and comprehensive. Making better decisions on how to spend funds and resources is
difficult with data of poor quality. There are numerous techniques available to evaluate the data
quality of systems, identify strengths and weaknesses, and create improvement plans. The Data
Quality Audit Tool is solely concerned with evaluating the underlying data management and
reporting systems and verifying the quality of reported data.

Data are accurate when the information submitted reflects the truth, the use of data quality
indicators for description, coding and classification, can assist analyze and enhance this
component of data quality. Given the emphasis on continuing tracking of health events, timeliness
is particularly crucial in animal health surveillance. The reason is that the quality of the produce
data and information directly impacts the quality of the processes that generate them.

The study was conducted in lume district of East shoa zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. The
woreda is located 81 km from Addis Ababa in the southeast direction. According to Lume district
agricultural office there are thirty five kebeles in the woreda and total population of cattle 69,546,
sheep, 33895, goat 36,553, donkey 26892, horse, 2238 mule, 398 poultry 100,207, dog 30,000, cat
18000 and camel 522 and the veterinary man power of lume district list bellow table

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Personnel type Number Remark
DVM 3
BVSc 11
VLT 1
Animal health Assistance(AHA) 11
Total 26
Table 1. Lume district veterinarian workforce
This study was conducted to assess the animal health surveillance data quality of the District and
to provide significant recommendations which will help to apply basic principles of ensuring data
quality. Finally to improve the previous practices and produce quality data which will be an input
for other stakeholders

General objective

 The study was to assess and describe the surveillance data quality and related gaps in lume
district veterinary clinic and provide recommendations.
Specific objectives

 To assess how data is collected, managed and quality of data in the District
 To assess the surveillance data and information flow
 To Review DOVAR reports and assess the link of laboratory with field investigation.

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 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Study Area

The study was conducted in lume district of East shoa zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. The
geographical extent of the district lies between 8°38'42"N and 39°14'32"E. The altitude of the area
ranges from 1500 to 2300 meters above sea level. Areal coverage is about 151km2 and located 81
km from Addis Ababa in the southeast direction. According to Lume district agricultural office
there are thirty five kebeles in the woreda and total population of cattle 69,546, sheep, 33895, goat
36,553, donkey 26892, horse, 2238 mule, 398 poultry 100,207, dog 30,000, cat 18000 and camel
522 and Mojo B type veterinary Clinic selected for study

2.2 Data collection and study design

Retrospective study with quantitative and the qualitative approaches is used to conduct the study.
Key informant interview, review DOVAR report data quality assessments were applied. A
checklist was developed and used to interview the responsible District animal health processor
owner. Disease outbreak and vaccination activity reports from 2021-2022 were reviewed for the
quality of data. The major findings were

2.3 Data analysis

The recorded data were analyzed using Microsoft excel and presented using graphs and charts

3. RESULTS
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 3.1 Use of Laboratory In Field Investigation/Surveillance

Asella veterinary regional laboratory is the responsible institution to provide diagnostic support for
the district. However, no sample was submitted to the laboratory during the past two year period.
Thus it is not possible to speak about the time required to collect and deliver samples to the
laboratory and the time required to receive feedback about laboratory test result. This shows that
there is weak link between laboratory and field investigation.

3.2 Surveillance Data Source, Collection And Flow Chart

Kebele veterinarians receive information from farmers in the event of an outbreak. Kebele
experts have reported an outbreak to the Woreda Agricultaral office by phone. The Woreda
surveillance focal also provides information to the zonal livestock development and to the
regional laboratory by MOA Dovar format. Surveillance data flow of the woreda can be
described in the following diagram

Federal agricultural minster

Oromia livestock development office

F
e
e
d

b Regional veterinary labratory

a
c
k Zone livestock resource
development

Woreda livestock development

office

Kebele vet.clinic

farmer

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 Figure 1. Surveillance data flow of lume district

3.3 Assessment of Dovars Audits

From the total 24 DOVAR format which are expected to be sent every month in the past 2 years,
only 21 (87.5%) reports were found in the woreda office. Reports sent in 2020 and 2021 are
11(91.6%) and 10(83%) respectively. So the performance of DOVAR report of lume wereda is
87.5% (21/24).

There were only 3 (22.7%) (1 FMD, 1 NCD and 1 Parascosis) outbreak reports in the past 2 years.
The rest of the reports 17 (80.9%) are zero reports. Out of 21 reviewed reports 19.1% (4/21) have
missing data while 80.9% (17 /21)have aproblem of accuracy. There is only one confirmed case
(parascarosis) the rest one is suspected cases. At the end of outbreak Total number of case of FMD
is not sum up. There are 4608 total case in 2 years. The mortality rate of FMD IS 0%, NCD
25%,parascarosis 14.9%

diseases Cases Death mortality rate

FMD 420 0 0
NCD 4000 1000 25
Parascorosis 188 28 14.89362
Table 2. Mortality rate of outbreaks for 2 year

mortality rate
4500
4000
N 4000
o
3500

o
3000
f 2500
2000
c
1500
a 1000
s 1000
e 420
500 188
0 28
0
FMD NCD Parascorosis
cases death

Figure 2. Mortality rate of outbreaks for 2 year

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 data quality audit

19%
missing data
accuracy

81%

Figure 3. Data quality audit result of lume district

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Figure 4: Evidence of inapropirate writing, missing data(OB reference number) kebelle, miss
placed, inapropirate dating (reporting in the mid of month)

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 4. DISCUSSION
The reviewed disease outbreak and vaccination activity reports (DOVARs) were stored in an
easily accessible way in the office. There is good file storage mechanism in the woreda. The
quality of data is dependent on the underlying data collection, management and reporting
systems; stronger systems should produce better quality data. Based on our findings there is a
defect on the quality of animal health surveillance data of lume woreda. There is no well
documented study relating with surveillance data quality audit previously which may help us to
compare with and discuss the results of the present study.80.9% of the assessed reports were
zero reports. From 24 expected report 21 report were sent to assela regional laboratory 3
monthly report is not sent to the laboratory. There is missing data and inaccurate data problem in
the assessed DOVARs of lume woreda agricultural office. The woreda does not have clearly
stated objectives for collecting surveillance data beyond listing some functions of the collected
data. The link of laboratory and field investigation is week. The data collectors didn’t received
training on surveillance in this year. This lack of training leads the woreda to have poor data
quality DOVARs. The surveillance data of the district is collected from the farmer at kebele
level and shared to the distirict agricultural office, District agricultural office to zone agricultural
office and Asela regional veterinary laboratory to Oromia livestock development agency and
ministry of agriculture. The District should analyze the data they collect in animal-time-place.
Analyzing the collected surveillance data is important to take necessary actions depending on
the findings.

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 5. CONCLUSION

The District should analyze the data they collect in animal-time-place. Analyzing the collected
surveillance data is important to take necessary actions depending on the findings. The collected
data should be reliable because they are measured and collected consistently. An information
system from which the results are derived is appropriately inclusive: it represents the complete list
of eligible persons or units and not just a fraction of the list. The flow of Lume woreda animal
health surveillance data begins from the farmers to kebele animal health worker. The surveillance
data of the District have the problem of accuracy, completeness and timeliness. The District have
no effort to identify errors, missing data and the timeliness of the reports. They retain the collected
data in their office but do not analyze it in animal-place-time. The District does not have clearly
stated objectives for collecting surveillance data.Generally the audit was useful to identify the gaps
and issues in managing data. Comments and suggestions for improvement of data management are
found very useful. The results of the audit were drawn together and a final report was produced to
recommend actions for change.

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6. RECOMMENDATION

Depending on the above conclusion, we recommend lume woreda agricultural office animal
health team they should:
 Develop a clear plan to obtaining surveillance data.
 analyze data at woreda and take action based on the findings
 Provide training for the frontline animal health workers on surveillance
 Improve the link of laboratory to support investigation of outbreaks
 Develop a standard format for kebeles for the reporting of outbreak data
 Zones and regions Laboratory) should provide regular feedback and share summary
reports on DOVAR.
 Surveillance data quality assessment should be conducted in a periodic manner.

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 7.REFERANCE

Lume agricultural office (2022)

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