Background: The surveillance system PASSI (Progresses in ASSessing adult population health in Italy) is centrally coordinated by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) and carried on by Local Health Units (LHU) from all the 21 Italian Regional Health Authorities since 2008. PASSI monitors the main behavioural health-related risk factors among the adult population in order to better orient and further elaborate interventions for the prevention of major chronic diseases.
Study design: Basing on outcomes from the first pilot study in 2011, we conducted a second self-audit to investigate and map levels of conformity with recognized implementation standards by the protocol for PASSI local management in the 21 Italian Regional Health Authorities.
Methods: We designed an online questionnaire supported by an open source application (Google) and sent to the local PASSI coordinators. Data were collected from April to September 2013. 113 out of 148 LHUs from all the 21 Italian Regional Health Authorities participated, with a response rate of 76%.
Results: Overall, in the respondent LHUs 1,036 professionals result to differently engage in surveillance activities. Although PASSI is locally-based, where data collection and computerisation are arranged, central support is highly appreciated in terms of quality monitoring, analysis, output processing, professional training, delivery of dissemination material. PASSI data are more used for communication (60%) and planning (80%) than to scientific ends.
Conclusions: After a ten-year activity, PASSI as complex public health program requires periodical self-audit rounds in order to assess to what extent relevant performance indicators match the levels indicated in its own operational protocol. The second self-audit showed to be reliable concerning both sustainability and data collection. It then represents an experience that can be renewed and repeated.
Keywords: Health promotion; Prevention; Public health; Self-audit; Surveillance.