A comparative study on surveillance system of notifiable infectious diseases in the selected countries: Proposed model for Iran

Background: Complete, accurate and timely data gathering is necessary to find epidemics, to provide suitable control strategies, and finally to prevent and control infectious diseases. Objective: A comparative study on national surveillance systems of notifiable infectious diseases in the U.S.A., Australia and Iran and also suggesting a suitable model for Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was carried out in 2003-2004. Data gathering instruments were library resources, internet, and consultation with Iranian and foreign experts through face-to-face interview and E-mail. In this research a model for national notifiable infectious diseases surveillance system was presented. This model was tested by Delphi method in 3 stages, and finally a suitable model was designed for Iran. Findings: Our data showed that promoting the Iranian national surveillance system on notifiable infectious diseases, the structure, types of data, acceptance criteria for disease registry, data gathering, process, data analysis, information dissemination methods, classification of disease, data quality control, data privacy policies and instructions of the existing system must be modified. Conclusion: Comparison of national notifiable infectious diseases surveillance system of Iran and above-mentioned countries showed that the elements of this system cannot fulfill the Iranian Information requirements. Also, to promote, develop and reinforce a national integrated notifiable infectious diseases surveillance system and effective use of data, the structure of this system, needs modifications