Evaluation of a Sentinel Hypertension Surveillance System in Mojo, East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: Concurrently Embedded Mixed Design Study.

Background: In response to the increasing incidence and prevalence of hypertension, Ethiopia has been piloting hypertension control at the primary health care level in selected sentinel sites. However, no evaluation has been conducted and its success and failures have not been ascertained.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate on whether sentinel hypertension surveillance system in Mojo City were operating efficiently and effectively.

Methods: A concurrently embedded mixed design (quantitative or qualitative) study was conducted in 2 sentinel health centers in Mojo city, Oromia region of Ethiopia. The usefulness and 9 system attributes were assessed via key informant interviews, observations, and record reviews. The qualitative data were analyzed manually via thematic analysis, whereas quantitative data were analyzed via SPSS Software version 25.0 (IBM Corp).

Results: The study invited 14 key informants, and all were willing to participate in the interview. The completeness and timeliness of reports were 98% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity, positive predictive value, and representativeness were 45.3%, 92.6%, and 22%, respectively. Nearly three-fourths (10/14, 71%) of key informants perceived the system as flexible, while half thought it as unstable due to factors such as inadequate training and lack of supportive supervision and feedback system. Health facilities did not conduct routine data analysis and interpretation, nor did they use for action.

Conclusions: The surveillance system in Mojo city was simple, flexible, acceptable, and predictive but less sensitive, unrepresentative, and unstable. There is a need for implementing routine data analysis and use for action, adequate training, and feedback system for optimizing the system's performance and to ensure its sustainability.