Positivity Rate as a Performance Indicator for COVID-19 Response in Edo State, Nigeria
Andrew Ifeanyichukwu Obi *
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, PMB 1154, Edo State, Nigeria and Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, PMB1111, Edo State, Nigeria and Centre of Excellence for Reproductive Health Innovation (CERHI), University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Pius Ononigwe
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Faith Ireye
World Health Organization, Nigeria.
Patrick Okundia
Edo State Ministry of Health, Nigeria and Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Nigeria.
Osamuyi Irowa
Edo State Ministry of Health, Nigeria and Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Nigeria.
Helen Eboreime
Edo State Ministry of Health, Nigeria and Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Nigeria.
Ekaete Tobin
Lassa Fever Training Institute, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Lauretta Iruobe
Edo State Ministry of Health, Nigeria and Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Nigeria.
Bruce Osa
Edo State Ministry of Health, Nigeria and Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Nigeria.
Uwa Okhuarobo
Edo State Ministry of Health, Nigeria and Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Nigeria.
Kester Okoduwa
Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Positivity rate is a very reliable indicator in determining the effectiveness of public health interventions of infectious disease magnitude.
Aim: To use positivity rate as performance indicator of effectiveness of COVID-19 Control measures in Edo State, Southern Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Laboratory based record review of 20,220 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based laboratory results from COVID-19 line-list analysed from the four (4) NCDC accredited molecular laboratory within Edo State. The weekly COVID-19 test positivity was computed in relation to the total samples tested between 23rd March to 30th November, 2020. Data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 software with statistical significance set at p˂0.050 and 95% Confidence Interval.
Results: A total of 20,220 PCR results reviewed with 2696 (13.3%) COVID-19 cases identified while 17,524 (86.7%) were negative. The average weekly sample collection and testing was 552.28 ± 369.98, with average weekly COVID-19 case yield and positivity rate (%) of 77.89 ±106.23 and 12.20±13.75% respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between sample tested and COVID-19 case yield (R = 0.569; < 0.01). The first wave of the COVID-19 in Edo State witnessed a consistent and progressive decline in test positivity rate till it deepened at 0.6 % by the end of November, 2020.
Conclusion: Increasing sample testing has significant positive correlation with COVID-19 case detection in Edo State. Positivity rate was a good indicator to monitor COVID-19 outbreak response in Edo State.
Targeted surveillance and sample collection for testing can significantly help improve the quality and case yield during epidemic outbreak response. Bridging the gap in sample collection for testing can greatly influence how quickly an epidemic outbreak response and control is achieved.
Keywords: COVID-19, disease outbreak, indicator, performance, test positivity