Assessment of knowledge and materials availability in the implementation of integrated diseases surveillance and responses in public facilities in South-south nigeria.

Background: A country's disease control is usually a reflection of the practice of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy by those responsible in making diagnosis and handling of health records as well as the availability of IDSR materials. The specific objectives of this study are to provide information on the level of knowledge of HCWs on IDSR, availability of materials, and their utilization. Methodology: A descriptive study conducted among 310 HCWs in public facilities across the three levels of healthcare delivery selected from 22 public health facilities in Edo State, South-South Nigeria. The facilities' IDSR materials were also examined to ascertain availability and utilization. Results: The respondents' knowledge of IDSR was fair [203(65.5%)]. The availability of critical IDSR materials in the secondary facility was abysmally poor; however, the utilization was fair across the three levels of care. There were statistically significant associations between the age (p<0.001), sex(p<0.001), job type(p<0.001), level of care(p<0.001), and duration practice(p=0.002) of respondents with knowledge of IDSR. Conclusion: The study showed that the level of knowledge of IDSR among HCWs in public facilities was barely above average, and there is a paucity of material needed for effective IDSR implementation, especially at the secondary facilities. Keywords: Knowledge, Materials Availability, IDSR, Public Facilities, South-South, Nigeria.