Issue Briefs | September 2022

The Telephone-Based Syndromic Surveillance Survey of COVID-19 in Malawi

Preliminary Findings on Morbidity and Mortality Trends in the General Population
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Overview

WHAT IS THE SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE SURVEY?

Syndromic surveillance is a system of collecting data on non-specific health indicators, such as signs and symptoms of illness. It is a critical public health tool, particularly during outbreaks of novel viruses (like COVID-19), when the virus is spreading rapidly, but there is limited or no access to diagnostic tools and commodities. The Telephone-Based Syndromic Surveillance Survey of COVID-19 in Malawi was designed to provide critical data to assist public health leaders in decision-making on guidance, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies for the prevention and control of COVID-19. The survey gathers COVID-19-related information from mobile phone users to assist the Ministry of Health with its efforts to monitor and mitigate direct and indirect effects of the pandemic.

 WHAT DOES THE SURVEY EXPLORE?

The survey targets adults in the general population of Malawi. Data are collected on a variety of indicators to monitor trends in suspected COVID-19 illness, testing, and death; access to and use of health services; COVID-19 knowledge; and COVID-19 vaccine perceptions. This brief highlights results related to:

ILLNESS: How many respondents report having recent influenza-like and/or COVID-19-like symptoms? Which symptoms were reported?

TESTING: How many symptomatic respondents report being tested for COVID-19 in the last 2 weeks? 

HOUSEHOLD DEATHS: How many respondents report having had a death in their household since the pandemic began? What were the reported symptoms before death?

ACCESS TO AND USE OF HEALTH SERVICES: Are respondents experiencing disruptions in access to health services? What reasons are reported for not accessing health services?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The Telephone-Based Syndromic Surveillance Survey of Malawi is used by public health officials to monitor trends in COVID-19 cases and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • From July 2020 to September 2021, 7% of the nearly 70,000 survey respondents reported having influenza-like or COVID-like symptoms.
  • On average, less than one in ten respondents with influenza-like or COVID-like symptoms went for COVID-19 testing.
  • Nearly 9% of respondents reported having a death in their household during since January 2020; the trend in household deaths mirrored trends in confirmed COVID-19 deaths.
  • One in five respondents reported having challenges accessing health services.
Country:

Malawi

Topics:

COVID-19