The Chlamydia surveillance system in Sweden delivers relevant and accurate data: results from the system evaluation, 1997-2008

This study evaluates the ability of the Chlamydia surveillance system to provide relevant information to inform prevention and control activities in Sweden. The system was evaluated, according to the Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems from the United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, using surveillance data from 1997 to 2008. We interviewed staff from the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control, the National Board of Health and Welfare and one county medical officer (CMO). We conducted a survey among laboratories, CMOs and a sample of clinics. Satisfaction with the system was good for 86% of CMOs, all laboratories, and 99% of clinics. The interviewed stakeholders considered the system to deliver relevant and accurate information that is useful for health policy decision making. However, the objectives for Chlamydia surveillance should be clearly defined in order to adapt the system requirements, simplify data collection and improve timeliness.