A CONCEPTUAL DATA MODEL FOR DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, MONITORING AND PREDICTION IN NIGERIA

Despite the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa is a region characterised by high rates of several deadly diseases, there is relatively little consistent or reliable data that can be used for surveillance, monitoring and management of these diseases in the region. In order to alleviate the problem of patchy and inconsistent epidemiological data, a well structured, interoperable spatial data model for diseases surveillance and monitoring is proposed in this paper. The model is motivated by HIV/AIDS monitoring and prediction in Nigeria. We initially review some of the existing health data models which we modify and extend to develop a conceptual data model for disease surveillance, monitoring, management and, potentially, prediction. The data model captures information required for the development of diseases surveillance systems. The model is developed using the Unified Modelling Language and we aim to make the model an open standard in order to promote collaboration and encourage researchers in developing nations to contribute to the maintenance of the data model. The model will be implemented in XML, and will be applied to a system using service oriented architecture with a focus on HIV/AIDS surveillance and monitoring in Nigeria.