Analysis of typhoid fever surveillance data, Cape Coast Metropolis, 2016

Abstract

Introduction: typhoid fever is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and also a serious public health concern, particularly in developing countries. Globally an estimated 22 million new cases of Typhoid fever occur every year. In most African countries, 10-100 cases/100,000 person/years occur with highest incidence among children. Central Region recorded 27,447 new Typhoid fever cases in 2015. We reviewed Typhoid fever surveillance data to assess its magnitude and distribution in the Cape Coast Metropolis from 2011-2015. Methods: we conducted secondary data analysis on Typhoid fever in Cape Coast Metropolis. Data were obtained from the District Health Information Management System II (DHIMS 2) database. Data was managed and analyzed using MS Excel. We calculated threshold for Typhoid fever. Univariate analyses were expressed as frequencies and proportions. Results: highest Typhoid fever cases occurred among the age-group 20-34 years with the lowest age-group being 0-4 years. Females had more cases than males throughout the 5 years. Urban areas report to health facilities whiles rural areas barely visit health facilities. Missed Typhoid fever outbreaks occurred in October, 2012, August, 2013 and September, 2015. Conclusion: the burden of Typhoid fever cases is higher in urban areas than rural. Multi-dimensional programs by stake holders in health in Cape Coast Metropolis started to prevent the high incidence of Typhoid fever in the Metropolis based on our recommendations.