NPC flags off 2018 Demographic, Health Survey in Kaduna

The National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health on Thursday flagged off the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in Kaduna state to generate data for the sustainable development of the country.   The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) is a donor agency-driven project which takes place in 52 countries every […]

The National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health on Thursday flagged off the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in Kaduna state to generate data for the sustainable development of the country.

 

The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) is a donor agency-driven project which takes place in 52 countries every five years. This is the sixth in the series with the last in 2013 which had findings and recommendations on the educational and health status of the countries involved.

 

According to the federal commissioner overseeing Kaduna NPC, Engineer Bala Almu Banye, the objective of the survey includes to provide up-to-date information and reliable estimates of fertility levels and preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of mothers and young children, early childhood mortality and maternal mortality.

 

Others include maternal and child health, knowledge and behavior regarding HIV/AIDs and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), female genital cutting, fistula and domestic violence. In addition, he noted that this year’s survey will provide estimates of anaemia prevalence among children aged 6-59 months and adults; malaria prevalence among children aged 6-59months as well as provide estimate of sickle cell disease. “The primary objective is to ensure a better, healthier and prosperous world,” he stressed.

 

The commissioner mentioned that a complete listing of households has already been concluded in each of the 1,400 selected Enumeration Areas (EAs) in the country. “A representative sample of appropriately 42,000 households has been selected for the survey. One-third of the households are being selected for malaria, anaemia and genotype testing for children aged 6-59 months,”

 

“All women aged 15-49 and men aged 15-59 who are either permanent residents of the selected households or visitors who stay in the household the night before the survey will be eligible to be interviewed,” he explained.