Table 1 Results of the interviews and data collection related with the data quality and sensitivity attributes of the surveillance system

Data quality

Completeness and validity of the data recorded

Very few missing values were found: 0/403 for the administrative district, 3/403 for age, 1/403 for sex. Only data from 2006 to 2009 were available at the regional level.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity to detect cholera cases during an inter-epidemic period

Cholera cases were identified by the nurses in the healthcare facilities. Difficulties were reported in the detection of the first cases of cholera. Usually, the observation of a few cholera cases was necessary before reporting of suspected cases of cholera started.

Sensitivity to detect cholera cases during an epidemic period

During an epidemic, all the suspected cholera cases were referred to the cholera treatment centres (created at the onset of the epidemic), where they were documented. Surveillance system leaders conducted investigations to detect related cases and to inform the population about cholera. Radio messages were broadcasted to inform the population about cholera symptoms and encourage the reporting of any suspected case to the heads of healthcare facilities. Four heads of health structures reported that during epidemics, there was general awareness of the gravity of cholera and the population was more likely to seek care at healthcare facilities in case of acute diarrhea.

Sensitivity to detect a cholera epidemic

Each cluster of cholera cases was reported to the heads of the surveillance system. All interviewees felt confident that each cluster of cholera of cases was reported to the head of the surveillance system.