Developing Chronic Disease Surveillance Systems Introduction
This project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to participate in basic field experiences in epidemiological research and to collect data as part of the development of a chronic disease surveillance system.
Background
There is a need for better monitoring of diseases to gather the information necessary to help ministries of health use their limited resources more efficiently to provide services and to develop prevention programs. To address this need with respect to diabetes, we have recently developed a surveillance system on the island of Dominica, using Capture-recapture methods. We believe that this system can serve as a model for developing similar disease surveillance networks in other Caribbean countries.
Data Collected
Students can expect to participate in any or all of the following steps in the development of this project:
 Determination of the disease(s) to be monitored. Multiple diseases may be addressed or perhaps complications of diseases can be monitored.
Determination of the specific information which will be collected
Coordinating the project with the Ministry of Health .
Identifying and contacting sources of ascertainment. At least three is required for each disease for which surveillance will be undertaken.
Collecting information from the various sources and checking for duplications.
Data entry and calculation of estimates of the frequency of disease or disease complications.
Responsibilities
Each student will be required to complete a weekly summary report of his/her activities. The progress of the overall project and of each student will be discussed at weekly meetings with faculty.
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