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Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research / Data Driven Disease Surveillance / Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health · Journal article
PLOS Global Public Health · September 9, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This qualitative study documents partial implementation of the WHO Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy in Togo, identifying gaps in coordination, resource mobilization, data quality, and response capacity. The findings are descriptive and country-specific, suitable for guiding local health system reform but not for drawing generalizable conclusions about IDSR effectiveness or comparative performance.
Qualitative study: document review and focus group discussions. Togo; 21 actors representing national surveillance specialists, Public Health Emergency Operations Center staff, decentralized health authorities, health facility managers, community health workers, and community leaders.. Intervention: Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy implementation. n = 21. Togo.
IDSR is only partially implemented in Togo with major weaknesses in health system limiting surveillance effectiveness Significant gaps identified in coordination, resource mobilization, health system effectiveness, data quality and reporting, preparedness, and response capacities Study involved 21 actors across national and decentralized levels including surveillance specialists, emergency operations centre staff, health facility managers, and community workers
Safety was not reported in the material analysed. Check the source before drawing any conclusion about harm.
This assessment identifies system-level barriers to infectious disease surveillance in Togo that may inform targeted policy interventions and resource allocation. However, as a single-country qualitative study, findings should not be generalized to other settings without validation.
A qualitative implementation assessment of a surveillance strategy in a single country, without quantitative metrics, comparators, or outcome data; provides descriptive findings useful for local policy but lacks the rigor and generalizability of confirmatory or strong evidence.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
This assessment identifies system-level barriers to infectious disease surveillance in Togo that may inform targeted policy interventions and resource allocation. However, as a single-country qualitative study, findings should not be generalized to other settings without validation.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
The surveillance of infectious diseases has gained importance with the rise of (re)emerging pathogens and growing antimicrobial resistance. In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), surveillance systems remain insufficiently structured to support timely detection and response. To address these gaps, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa recommends the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy, implemented across 47 Member States. Regular evaluation of IDSR systems is encouraged to guide national reforms and strengthen preparedness. This study assesses the level of IDSR implementation in Togo and identifies key challenges affecting its performance. A qualitative study was conducted through a review of national strategic documents and focus group discussions with 21 actors involved in IDSR, including national surveillance specialists, Public Health Emergency Operations Center staff, decentralized health authorities, health facility managers, community health workers, and community leaders. Data were collected using tailored interview guides and analyzed through content analysis structured around the nine components of the WHO IDSR Technical Guide. IDSR is only partially implemented in Togo. While some opportunities and technological tools are in place, major weaknesses in the health system limit the effectiveness of surveillance. Significant gaps remain in coordination, resource mobilization, health system effectiveness, data quality and reporting, preparedness, and response capacities. Significant gaps hinder the full implementation of the IDSR in Togo. Addressing these challenges presents opportunities to strengthen surveillance, improve early detection, and enhance public health response across the country.
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