The Addis Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Addis-HDSS)
A health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) is a population-based health and vital event registration system that monitors demographic and health events in a geographically defined population at regular intervals. Accurate population-based information is critical for evidence-based public health decision-making. Assessing the occurrence of health events and evaluating public health interventions in a population-based platform help in timely decision-making in rapidly growing urban areas. The aim of establishing HDSS in the Yeka sub-city is to generate reliable health and demographic information and maintain a research platform to conduct essential research.
The ADDIS-HDSS follows a longitudinal open cohort design that includes all households in Yeka and Lemi Kura sub-city. Initial data collection begins with a complete baseline census, followed by annual updates to track population changes. Data collection is conducted using standardized survey tools.
This surveillance system will be an asset to generate reliable urban health and demographic information by providing an unbiased sampling frame for health-related studies. The HDSS will also be used to test the effectiveness of population-based public health interventions.