This thesis evaluated the surveillance of communicable diseases on the island of Montserrat, and the island's preparedness to monitor emerging communicable diseases. The evaluation consisted of a review and assessment of the activities that make up the communicable disease surveillance system, and a survey of staff within the Ministry of Health designed to determine their level of satisfaction with surveillance and their suggestions for improvement. A survey of clinical staff was also conducted to determine their awareness of the presentations and management of two emerging diseases. The system was found to be simple, acceptable, flexible and useful. Staff reported being satisfied with most surveillance tasks. The local laboratory was found to be inadequate and the Ministry unprepared for monitoring emerging diseases. Recommendations include continuation of the existing system, development of guidelines for contact tracing and re-assessment of the role of the laboratory. Continuing education is needed for staff and patients.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/9382 |
| Date | January 2001 |
| Creators | Hazel, Dorothea L. |
| Contributors | Wells, George, |
| Publisher | University of Ottawa (Canada) |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 185 p. |
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