Table 3 Some direct quotes from respondents on the design and implementation of the eIDSR

DSNO/State epidemiologists views on the extent to which eIDSR achieved its objectives

It improves the knowledge gap of health workers, through training, supervision, and on-the-job training.

Immediate notifications and actions were taken on diseases and conditions of public health concerns at the grassroots level.

It improved the disease surveillance system, increase the flow of data, and improve the early detection and investigation of diseases and conditions of public health concerns.

Surveillance focal person views on the major achievements of eIDSR in Nigeria

It helped in the instant notification of cases that led to the investigation and appropriate public health interventions. More so, it brought line managers closer to surveillance happening at the peripheral level.

The major achievements included the illustration of how mobile technology can be used to report alerts of IDSR cases, data collection can occur at facilities and be readily available at all level, and dashboards for the ministry of health

It can be used to show data in real-time, and alerts can be generated to inform the leadership of potential disease outbreaks.

DSNO/State epidemiologists views on the ability to roll out eIDSR

It helps in reduction in the printing of data tools

It reduces the cost of paper or written materials to do the job.

Surveillance data will be easily accessed with eIDSR than the traditional method of reporting. Data reported through the traditional system can be altered along the channel of reporting due to manual compilation

Surveillance focal person views on how using eIDSR have benefited their state and Nigeria

It has contributed a lot in identifying and reporting priority diseases and other conditions of public health concern to the responsible authorities, for prompt intervention

eIDSR contributed to public health surveillance and response in the community

It makes it easier to report priority diseases timely and completely for prompt action

DSNO/State epidemiologists view on the output of eIDSR relative to the effort put in it

It improved timely reporting and eliminate missing reports

It keeps the LGA and state informed about immediately reportable diseases

The system prompted me to verify cases from sources before sending them to a higher level for action

The system helped me to participate more actively in surveillance activities in my LGA

How eIDSR could contribute to public health surveillance in Nigeria

It helped to improved reporting and response.

eIDSR has made reporting easier. Therefore, in the future, it will contribute greatly to surveillance such that diseases will be reported immediately for action.

It will help the country report on time outbreaks and other conditions of public health concerns in the communities. It also helped prompt the detection of cases that came from the community.