All surveillance data are derived from results of aerobic bacterial culture from patients seen from all sentinel sites. Before the year 1994, Data submission was initially entered using standardized ARS data report forms, causing significant delay in the submission of surveillance data and also affecting the analysis of collated data.
In 1994, ARSP initiated a goal to computerize datasets of all sentinel sites through the use of WHONET for data entry. The computerization allowed timely release of laboratory results by sentinel sites. By 2012, 94% of all surveillance data from sentinel sites have been computerized.
At present, the ARSP Data Management unit collects isolate data coming from 24 sentinel sites and 2 gonorrhea surveillance sites in 16 regions of the country. Data received at the ARSP coordinating center at RITM are verified and edited regularly. An annual analysis of the composite data from all sentinel sites is summarized in a progress report which is distributed to the various stakeholders.