Evaluation of a Hypertension Surveillance System, Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone, 2021.

ABSTRACT

This observational study assessed key attributes of the hypertension surveillance system at Kenema Government Hospital, Kenema District, Sierra Leone. We administered semistructured questionnaires; reviewed hospital registers, patient charts, and the District Health Information Software database; and rated the implementation status of each attribute as poor (1-3), average (4-6), or good (7-10). Of the 7 attributes, simplicity, flexibility, and acceptability were good; stability was average, but timeliness, sensitivity, and data quality were poor. Overall, the usefulness of the hypertension surveillance system was poor, as it did not monitor hypertension trends, nor was it linked to public health action.