Capacity of the national influenza surveillance system in Afghanistan, a chronic conflict setting.

Influenza surveillance is needed to monitor potential public health threats from the emergence of novel influenza viruses. This study assessed the capacity and performance of the national influenza surveillance system in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2014. Data were collected by review of hospital registers and the National Influenza Centre (NIC) database, interviews with influenza focal points at 9 influenza sentinel surveillance sites and the Centre staff, and observation of the sites. Out of 6900 specimens collected, influenza virus was detected in 253 (3.6%), predominantly H1N1 (63%); most of these cases were detected during the 2009 pandemic. The NIC had the capacity for virus isolation and PCR identification and performed reasonably until 2011 when support of the Naval American Medical Research Unit 3 was withdrawn. The limitations identified in the system indicated the need for: more complete data, improved technical competence and trained human resources, updating of the infrastructure/facilities, and the presence of standard operating procedures throughout surveillance.

Capacity of the national influenza surveillance system in Afghanistan, a chronic conflict setting

Influenza surveillance is needed to monitor potential public health threats from the emergence of novel influenza viruses. This study assessed the capacity and performance of the national influenza surveillance system in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2014. Data were collected by review of hospital registers and the National Influenza Centre [NIC] database, interviews with influenza focal points at 9 influenza sentinel surveillance sites and the Centre staff, and observation of the sites. Out of 6900 specimens collected, influenza virus was detected in 253 [3.6%], predominantly H1N1 [63%]; most of these cases were detected during the 2009 pandemic. The NIC had the capacity for virus isolation and PCR identification and performed reasonably until 2011 when support of the Naval American Medical Research Unit 3 was withdrawn. The limitations identified in the system indicated the need for: more complete data, improved technical competence and trained human resources, updating of the infrastructure/facilities, and the presence of standard operating procedures throughout surveillance

La surveillance de la grippe est nécessaire pour contrôler les menaces de santé publique potentielles au moment de l'émergence de nouveaux virus de la grippe. La présente étude a évalué la capacité et la performance du système national de surveillance de la grippe en Afghanistan de 2007 à 2014. Les données ont été recueillies en examinant les registres des hôpitaux et la base de données du Centre national de la grippe [CNG], en interrogeant les points focaux pour la grippe sur neuf sites de surveillance sentinelle ainsi que le personnel du CNG, et en observant les sites. Sur les 6900 échantillons prélevés, le virus de la grippe a seulement été identifié dans 253 d'entre eux [3,6%] ; il s'agissait essentiellement du H1N1 [63%]. De plus, la majorité de ces cas ont été dépistés au cours de la grippe pandémique de 2009. Le CNG avait la capacité d'isolement et d'identification par PCR du virus. Il a en outre obtenu des résultats satisfaisants jusqu'à ce que la troisième Unité de recherche médicale de la Marine américaine [NAMRU-3] lui retire son soutien en 2011. Les insuffisances identifiées dans le système indiquent la nécessité d'obtenir des données plus complètes, d'améliorer les compétences techniques et d'avoir des ressources humaines formées, de rénover les infrastructures/locaux, et de disposer de modes opératoires normalisés pour l'ensemble du processus de surveillance

Prevalence of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in Jalalabad city, Afghanistan, evaluated using the WHO STEPwise approach.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing public health challenge. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of common risk factors for NCDs among the adult population an urban setting in the eastern province of Nangarhar, Afghanistan. In a randomized, cluster sample survey of households the WHO STEPwise method was modified and used to collect demographic, behavioural and clinical data from 1200 adults (61% females) in Jalalabad in 2013. Blood samples were collected for biochemical testing. The prevalence of overweight/obesity, diabetes and hypertension were 57.4%, 11.4% and 24.4% respectively. Among respondents, 8.0% reported being current cigarette smokers and 13.7% used mouth snuff; 69.8% and 19.6% had < 3 servings of fruits and of vegetables respectively in a week; and 33.5% and 57.8% reported vigorous and moderate physical activity respectively. Tailored interventions on risk factors of NCDs are needed in urban areas in Afghanistan.