Profile: the Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System
Crampin, A.C.; Dube, A.; Mboma, S.; Price, A.; Chihana, M.; Jahn, A.; Baschieri, A.; Molesworth, A.; Mwaiyeghele, E.; Branson, K.; Floyd, S.; McGrath, N.; Fine, P.E.M.; French, N.; Glynn, J.R.; Zaba, B.
International Journal of Epidemiology 41(3): 676-685
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1464-3685 PMID: 22729235 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dys088Document Number: 573228
The Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Karonga HDSS) in northern Malawi currently has a population of more than 35 000 individuals under continuous demographic surveillance since completion of a baseline census (2002-2004). The surveillance system collects data on vital events and migration for individuals and for households. It also provides data on cause-specific mortality obtained by verbal autopsy for all age groups, and estimates rates of disease for specific presentations via linkage to clinical facility data. The Karonga HDSS provides a structure for surveys of socio-economic status, HIV sero-prevalence and incidence, sexual behaviour, fertility intentions and a sampling frame for other studies, as well as evaluating the impact of interventions, such as antiretroviral therapy and vaccination programmes. Uniquely, it relies on a network of village informants to report vital events and household moves, and furthermore is linked to an archive of biological samples and data from population surveys and other studies dating back three decades.