Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41225677›Full record

ReviewJournal of health, population, and nutrition2025

A review on health system-based surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis: technological advancements, challenges, and outlooks.

Honey Gemechu, Gelane Biru, Eyerusalem Gebremeskel, Hundessa Daba Nemomssa, Kokeb Dese, Efrem Wakjira, Gashaw Demlew, Dessalew Yohannes, Ketema Lemma Abdi, Hamdia Murad and 11 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of health, population, and nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

21 authors.

Honey GemechuSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Gelane BiruSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Eyerusalem GebremeskelSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Hundessa Daba NemomssaSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Kokeb DeseSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Efrem WakjiraFaculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Gashaw DemlewFaculty of Computing and Informatics, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Dessalew YohannesFaculty of Computing and Informatics, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Ketema Lemma AbdiDepartment of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Hamdia MuradSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Elbetel Taye ZewdeComputer Vision Division, Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Addis Ababa, 40782, Ethiopia.
Bontu HabtamuAfrica-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC), Toronto, Canada.
Mesfin TeferaCenter for Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mikias AlayuCenter for Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Netsanet Workneh GidiDepartment of Pediatrics & Child Health, Jimma Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia.
Filimona BisratCORE Group Partners Project, Addis Ababa, 5674, Ethiopia.
Tenager TadesseCORE Group Partners Project, Addis Ababa, 5674, Ethiopia.
Legesse KidanneCORE Group Partners Project, Addis Ababa, 5674, Ethiopia.
Se-Woon ChoeDepartment of IT Convergence Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi, 39253, Korea.
Jude KongArtificial Intelligence & Mathematical Modeling Lab (AIMMLab), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St Room 500, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada. jude.kong@utoronto.ca.
Gelan AyanaSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, 378, Ethiopia. gelan.ayana@ju.edu.et.

Funding

International Development Research Centre 109981-001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPoliomyelitis is a severe viral infection that can lead to permanent paralysis or death, primarily affecting children under 15 years of age. Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance is essential for global polio eradication efforts, enabling the rapid detection, reporting, and investigation of suspected cases. Implementing various technological solutions has significantly advanced AFP surveillance, which is the gold standard for early polio case identification. These technologies include short message alert systems for better case reporting, the Open Data Kit (ODK) for efficient data collection and management, digital specimen tracking systems for improved sample handling, geospatial mapping tools for monitoring surveillance coverage, and awareness campaigns to engage healthcare workers and communities. Despite these advancements, there remains a notable absence of comprehensive analyses evaluating the cumulative progress, challenges, and policy implications of AFP surveillance. MAIN BODY: This study presents a targeted literature review of English-language publications from 2002 to 2024, focusing on challenges, technological advancements, and practical recommendations for AFP surveillance. Only empirically grounded, methodologically sound studies centered on AFP within health systems were included, with preference for research conducted in polio-endemic countries. Studies lacking methodological rigor or direct relevance were excluded. The review highlights how digital reporting platforms, specimen tracking, geospatial monitoring, and awareness campaigns have strengthened surveillance operations. At the same time, it identifies persisting weaknesses in surveillance methodologies and gaps in coverage, underscoring the need for further innovation and integration into health systems.

conclusionBy synthesizing evidence on the latest developments, this review addresses a critical gap in the literature and provides actionable recommendations to improve AFP surveillance. The findings inform both practice and policy by identifying innovative solutions and future directions, ultimately contributing to stronger global health surveillance systems and advancing polio eradication strategies.

Indexed as

ParalysisPoliomyelitisPopulation SurveillanceGlobal HealthHumansAcute flaccid paralysisHealth systemPoliomyelitisSurveillance

Identifiers

PMID41225677
PMCPMC12613547

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.