Dataset Information

Structure, function and performance of Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) in emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has experienced several protracted humanitarian crises. The affected population are served by eight Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) systems for outbreak detection and response. This study aimed to compare structure, function and performance of the systems' adherence to current guidance, and noted emerging lessons.

Methods

This study included a review of published and unpublished literature, a structured survey and interviews.

Results

Findings showed that all systems adhered to basic EWARN structure. Four of eight systems had electronic platforms, while one was implementing one. Regarding key EWARN function of outbreak detection: of the 35 health conditions, 26 were communicable diseases and nine were non-communicable; two systems focused on epidemic-prone diseases. Half the systems achieved ≥60% population coverage, five achieved ≥80% reporting timeliness, six achieved ≥80% reporting completeness, and seven achieved verification of ≥80% of alerts of suspected outbreaks.

Conclusion

The findings showed that the systems followed the EWARN structure, while increasing adoption of electronic platforms. Performance, including timeliness and completeness of reporting, and timely verification of alerts were optimal for most of the systems. However, population coverage was low for most of the systems, and the EWARN's primary focus of outbreak detection was undermined by the increasing number of non-epidemic diseases.

SUBMITTER: Mala P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8068565 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Structure, function and performance of Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) in emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Mala Peter P Abubakar Abdinasir A Takeuchi Akiko A Buliva Evans E Husain Farah F Malik Mamunur Rahman MR Tayyab Mohammed M Elnoserry Sherein S

International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases 20210205

<h4>Introduction</h4>The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has experienced several protracted humanitarian crises. The affected population are served by eight Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) systems for outbreak detection and response. This study aimed to compare structure, function and performance of the systems' adherence to current guidance, and noted emerging lessons.<h4>Methods</h4>This study included a review of published and unpublished literature, a structured survey an ...[more]

PMID: 33556613

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Dataset Information

Structure, function and performance of Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) in emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Structure, function and performance of Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) in emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

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