Abstract

COUTIN MARIE, Gisele et al. Endemic ranges and the quality of information in selected municipalities. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2010, vol.36, n.1, pp.95-106. ISSN 0864-3466.

Early detection of the anomalous behavior of communicable diseases depends on the quality and promptness of available data and of efficient methods. In Cuba, this detection generally supports on the analysis of time series and endemic ranges for weekly or monthly surveillance at primary health care. There have not been thorough assessment of the quality of times series and methods. A descriptive study was conducted in 18 municipal health analysis and trends units and in 12 health areas located in selected municipalities of the City of Havana and Pinar del Río provinces in 2006, with the purpose of evaluating the quality of data in the preparation of endemic ranges; to identify the main methods for their preparation and the staff in charge of the analysis. It was found that an adequate number of compulsory notification diseases are under surveillance, but not in a consistent way; the most used preservation means is paperback in health areas; a high number of years in analysis are kept in almost all the units, the most common method for preparation of endemic ranges is Maximum Maximorum and Minimum Minimorum whereas the staff in charge of the analysis is properly trained. The existing time series allow making suitable analysis, so, it is desirable to increase the use of computerization to keep them as well as to raise the level of training for the professionals devoted to this task.

Keywords : Endemic ranges; epidemic detection; time series; statistical techniques for surveillance at primary health care.

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