The Epidemic Preparedness of the Tain District in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana: A Case for the Meningitis Outbreak of 2015/2016

Introduction: The Tain District experienced an outbreak of meningitis mainly due to Streptococcus pneumoniae that spread to involve other Regions of Ghana except the Central Region. Adequate epidemic preparedness is paramount in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with disease epidemics. However many Local Government Authorities (LGAs) remain ill-prepared due to overwhelming demands of multiple public health challenges amidst meager resources. The main objective was to evaluate the epidemic preparedness of Tain District with reference to the meningitis outbreak of 2015/2016.

Design: The study employed a cross sectional descriptive approach and was carried out from July to September 2016. It involved key informant interviews of three members of the Public Health Emergency Management Committee (PHEMC) using semi-structured questionnaire corroborated by documentary analysis of existing records before and during the outbreak.

Results: The District made adequate preparedness in the areas of logistics, risk communication, surveillance and case management but had gaps with respect to staffing and coordination. The epidemic preparedness was therefore rated ‘inadequate’. The District’s rating may reflect the performance of others within its vicinity where meningitis outbreaks are annual affair but the picture may be worse as one transits to areas less sensitized.

Conclusion: Although the epidemic preparedness of the Tain District was rated inadequate, the case fatality ratio of 10.3% was consistent with comprehensive preparedness and depicts a good and appropriate epidemic response in the midst of multiple challenges. This raises an interesting inference that, the attributes of epidemic preparedness do not carry equal weights. The overwhelming public health challenge posed by disease outbreaks amid meager resources demands prudent management of health resources and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) must critically assess their weaknesses and channel resources appropriately in order to maximize outcome.