Dessy Apriyani, Sulistyawati Sulistyawati, Yuniar Wardani

Evaluation of Leptospirosis Surveillance and Response Programs: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Evaluation of leptospirosis surveillance and response programs: a systematic review. Evaluate leptospirosis surveillance and response programs in Indonesia through a systematic review. Uncover challenges in health worker capacity, reporting, and coordination, stressing improved prevention.

Abstract

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that poses a public health problem in various tropical countries, including Indonesia. This disease is caused by Leptospira bacteria, which can infect humans through contact with the urine of infected animals. Method: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of surveillance and response programs for leptospirosis in Indonesia using a systematic literature review following the PRISMA guidelines. The data used were collected from three main databases: Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and PubMed. Six articles met our criteria and were included in this research. Results: The results of the study indicate that the surveillance program continues to face challenges, including a shortage of trained health workers, suboptimal case reporting and recording systems, and inadequate intersectoral coordination. Although the leptospirosis mortality rate has decreased, the fluctuating case count underscores the need to improve the surveillance system and prevention efforts. Conclusion: Increasing the capacity of health workers, optimizing the surveillance system, and strengthening coordination between sectors are needed to improve the effectiveness of leptospirosis prevention and control programs in Indonesia.

Review

This systematic review addresses a critically important public health issue, the effectiveness of leptospirosis surveillance and response programs, specifically within the Indonesian context. Leptospirosis, a significant zoonotic disease prevalent in tropical regions, warrants robust public health interventions, making this a timely and highly relevant study. The authors employed a systematic literature review methodology, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, to synthesize existing evidence from three major databases: Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and PubMed. This structured approach provides a clear framework for evaluating the current state of leptospirosis control efforts in the specified region. The findings highlight persistent and significant challenges within Indonesia's leptospirosis surveillance system. Key issues identified include a shortage of adequately trained health workers, suboptimal case reporting and recording systems, and inadequate intersectoral coordination. While the review notes a positive trend in the decreased leptospirosis mortality rate, the continuing fluctuation in reported case counts underscores the urgent need for comprehensive improvements. The synthesis of these specific challenges in the Indonesian setting is a valuable contribution, providing a focused overview of the obstacles hindering effective disease control and offering a basis for targeted interventions. Despite the clear identification of challenges, a potential point for further discussion is the relatively small number of articles (six) that met the inclusion criteria for a systematic review. While this might reflect a scarcity of published research on this specific topic in Indonesia, it could also impact the breadth of perspectives and detailed insights that a larger body of evidence might offer. Nevertheless, the study concludes with actionable recommendations, advocating for increased capacity building for health workers, optimization of the surveillance system, and strengthened intersectoral coordination. These recommendations are well-aligned with the identified problems and provide a clear roadmap for policymakers and public health practitioners aiming to enhance the effectiveness of leptospirosis prevention and control programs in Indonesia.

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