Timeliness of Measles Laboratory Reporting and Factors Associated with Delays, Zhejiang Province, China, 2009-2015.

ABSTRACT

In 2006, China targeted measles for elimination by 2012, but the goal was not achieved. In line with this goal, the timeliness of measles laboratory reporting should be evaluated to improve efficiency in implementing control measures. Laboratory-confirmed suspected measles cases reported to the measles surveillance system in Zhejiang Province, China, from 2009 to 2015 were collected. Three reporting periods were defined transport duration (period from serum collected to serum received in lab), analysis duration (period from serum received to the result being reported), and total reporting duration. The median was calculated for each period. Associations between total reporting delay and other factors were accessed using logistic regression model. A total of 18,518 laboratory-confirmed suspected measles cases were collected. For transport duration, the median was within 1 day, and no variation was observed among different years. For analysis duration, the median decreased from 3 days in 2009 to 1 day in 2015. For total reporting duration, the median decreased from 5 days in 2009 to 2 days in 2015. The median of total delay was 13 days during the 7 years. The proportion of cases notified within the time limit was found to increase, indicating a tendency toward more efficient laboratory reporting. Moreover, timeliness was influenced by various external factors reporting from CDC, reporting from counties with higher economic status, and reporting in spring were the variables associated with shorter delays. Timeliness of measles laboratory reporting has increased annually in China. Health administration departments need to pay more attention to measles laboratory surveillance in counties with lower economic status.