Over the past few years, new diseases such as Avian flu have emerged, and other diseases such as Tuberculosis (T.B) have reemerged. These contagious diseases draw attention to the need for an active disease surveillance system. This study addressed the issue of evaluating knowledge, attitude and practice of Ministry of Health (MOH) physicians in Riyadh region toward a surveillance system.
Methodology
A cross sectional descriptive self-administered question based survey was designed. This part involved only Riyadh region as a part of national study including all MOH physicians working in notifying disease in both governmental Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC's) and hospitals in July 2006.
Results
The study sample was 760 physicians. 87.1% physicians had poor notifiable diseases knowledge. Therefore, a continuous medical education program should be arranged. Some of the factors influencing knowledge and under-reporting were: lack of feedback, patients being uncooperative, the health inspector was not present, and complex forms. Therefore, increasing awareness among all health care professionals, patient's health education about the importance of their cooperation, a clearly written manual including clear written control measures, simple, short and readily accessible forms, and all should be ensured to improve the reporting rate. The lack of feedback which is an important part of the surveillance system should be evaluated and the factors determined that affect its performance.
Conclusion
This study evaluates the operating surveillance system through evaluating the physicians working in notification as they are the entry post of the surveillance system. Lack of knowledge of reporting diseases was identified as a major factor affecting disease surveillance among respondents. This adversely affects the timing of prophylaxis and outbreak control. Factors influencing knowledge of the notifiable diseases and under-reporting are: lack of motivation due to lack of feedback, the patients are not cooperative in giving the information, the health inspector is not always present, and complex forms. As the surveillance is the system for action, physicians applying the control measures face some difficulties that are need to be overcome. The lack of feedback which is an important part of the surveillance system and motivation for the physicians should be evaluated and the factors determined that affect its performance.