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HIV Testing Improving in Sub-Saharan Africa but many HIV-positive people do not know their status

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:39:36 +0000

Calverton, Maryland

Despite remarkable increases in HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa, it remains that the majority of HIV-positive women and men in 16 of the sub-Saharan countries studied have never been tested for HIV, and therefore cannot know their HIV status.

US Government supports Tajikistan Statistical Agency in health data collection

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:56:52 +0000

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

United States Ambassador Susan Elliott, Head of Department of Health, Family and Women Affairs of the Presidential Administration, Lola Bobokhojieva, Director of the Statistical Agency, Bahtiya Muhammadieva, and the First Deputy Minister of Health, Saida Jobirova, participated in the presentation of an internationally recognized Demographic and Health Survey preliminary report.

Marked improvements in maternal and child health in Bangladesh

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:40:05 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladesh has witnessed marked improvements in maternal and child health over the last four decades. Women are having fewer children, and these children are increasingly likely to live longer and healthier lives than previous generations. Women are also receiving more skilled assistance during pregnancy and delivery than ever before. Further improvements would need effective public-private and NGO partnerships to improve access to and quality of services. Bangladesh also needs to be prepared to deal with the worrying rise in non-communicable illnesses, like hypertension and diabetes. These challenges, brought to light by the newly released 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (2011 BDHS), will require policy and program reform, more targeted and more innovative interventions, and long-term behavior change.

2013 DHS Fellows Program in Population and Health for University Faculty from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:46:02 +0000

ICF International is seeking applications for the 2013 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Fellows Program. Applications must be from teams comprised of three faculty members from the same university in Africa who work in departments of demography, public health, economics, sociology, geography, or other social sciences. The universities they represent must be in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.

Since 1984, the MEASURE DHS project has been providing high-quality, nationally representative data on population, health, and nutrition for the developing world. The DHS Fellows Program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is designed to increase the capacity of countries to use DHS data. In 2013, the primary objectives of this program are as follows:

·To teach fellows to analyze DHS datasets, produce result tables, and conduct research with DHS data

·To strengthen skills that fellows will use to integrate DHS data in teaching

·To increase the ability of fellows to build the capacity for using DHS data at their home universities

Each team of three fellows selected for the program will be expected to jointly complete a publishable-quality manuscript on policy-relevant questions related to one or more of the following topic areas: HIV/AIDS, mortality, fertility, family planning, gender, nutrition, and reproductive, maternal, or child health. Papers must use data collected in the DHS, AIDS Indicator Surveys (AIS), or Service Provision Assessment (SPA) surveys. In addition, each team will be expected to design a plan for building capacity in the use of DHS data for teaching and research to be implemented at their home universities.All three members of each selected team of fellows must be available to attend two workshops organized by ICF International, one at the beginning and one toward the end of the program (see schedule below).

The language for the program is English. Manuscripts that meet the required standards will be published by ICF International in their Working Paper series. Fellows will be encouraged to submit their completed papers to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. To apply, each team of three faculty members, including one senior[1] member, are invited to jointly submit the following:

A brief research proposal (3 to 4 pages), clearly outlining the research question(s), scope of analysis, and how DHS, AIS, or SPA data will be used to answer these questions. Please describe the potential policy significance of the proposed study and how it relates to the scientific literature.
A brief plan for internal capacity-building (1 to 2 pages) that describes realistic activities the applicants will undertake after the completion of the fellowship; these activities should enable fellows to pass on knowledge and skills learned through the program to students and faculty at their home university.

In addition, the joint application should include the following from each member:

A brief (<1 page) personal statement from each applicant that includes:
- Prior experience working with DHS data
- Current level of proficiency in using SPSS or Stata
- Information on the courses the applicant is teaching
- Research areas she/he plans to explore in the next five years
A curriculum vitae with a list of publications and complete contact information
Names and contact information for three references
Proof of status as a current university faculty member and duration of employment

The fellows program for 2013 will select four teams based on the merits of their research proposal and on the applicants' potential for building the capacity of their home university to use DHS data. If selected, each candidate will need to provide evidence, such as a letter of approval from their department chairperson, that the university/department agrees to 1) her/his participation and successful completion in the fellowship program, including participation in both ICF International organized workshops, and 2) implementation of capacity-building activities related to use of DHS data at the university.

Applications are due no later than February 11, 2013. The following is the expected timeline for the program:

March 5, 2013	Selected candidates are notified.
April 29-May 10, 2013	First two-week workshop to be held in an African country to prepare Fellows to use DHS datasets, refine research questions, and start data analysis.
May 27, 2013	Fellows submit interim drafts of their paper and capacity-building plan to ICF.
June 17-28, 2013	Second two-week workshop to be held in an African country for fellows to finalize their capacity-building plans and papers for publication. Fellows will be required to prepare and make brief presentations.
July 22, 2013	Fellows submit final papers and capacity-building plans to ICF.
September 15, 2013	Fellows report back on capacity-building activities implemented in their home universities.

Each selected fellow will be awarded a $3,000 stipend to cover his or her research expenses, which will be paid in installments based upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables. In addition, ICF International will cover economy airfare from the home university in Africa, lodging, and per diem expenses for each fellow to attend both workshops at a location elsewhere in Africa.

Please send inquires and applications to Ms. Shanxiao Wang, International Health and Development Division, ICF International, 11785 Beltsville Drive, Suite 300, Calverton, MD 20705, USA. Email: Shanxiao.wang@icfi.com; Tel: +1 301-572-0200; Fax: +1 301-572-0999. For information on Demographic and Health Surveys, AIDS Indicator Surveys, and Service Provision Assessment Surveys, visit www.measuredhs.com.

[1]A senior faculty member is described as one or more of the following: (a) holding tenure, or a permanent contract; (b) having worked at the university for at least 10 years; (c) currently or previously occupying a senior position, such as chair of department.

HIV prevalence decreases in 6 countries

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:51:00 +0000

Calverton, Maryland, USA
HIV prevalence has decreased in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, according to the new "HIV Prevalence Estimates" report released by the USAID-funded MEASURE Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) project. MEASURE DHS now has HIV prevalence data based on representative, population-based surveys for 35 countries. For the 13 countries in which two rounds of HIV testing have been carried out, HIV prevalence has dropped in the six listed above.

New survey shows 7 in 10 children are receiving the recommended treatment for malaria

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:10:05 +0000

Monrovia, Liberia

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Walter Gwenigale, officially launched the 2011 Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey (LMIS) today, which provides data on all aspects on malaria, including malaria knowledge, malaria prevention, as well as the prevalence of malaria and severe anemia among children.

MEASURE DHS Project Names New Director

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:49:42 +0000

ICF International is pleased to announce that Dr. Sunita Kishor is the new director of the renowned MEASURE DHS Project. Widely known for her pioneering work in gender research, Dr. Kishor has been with the project since 1993. She takes over the helm of the MEASURE DHS project following the retirement of Dr. Ann Way.

Key findings of 2010 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey presented

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:24:50 +0000

Yerevan, Armenia

The National Statistical Service and the Ministry of Health of Armenia presented at a local seminar the key findings of the 2010 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS).

Une nouvelle enquete revele plusieurs ameliorations de la sante des senegalais

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:01:10 +0000

Dakar, Sénégal

Madame Le Ministre de la Sante, de l’Hygiène Publique et de la Prévention, Pr Awa Marie Coll-Seck, a lancé aujourd’hui officiellement les donnes de l’Enquête Démographique et de Santé à Indicateurs Multiples du Sénégal de 2010-11 (EDS-MICS 2010-11). Les résultats montrent qu’il y a de plus en plus d’enfants sénégalais qui survivent après leur cinquième anniversaire.

New survey shows major decline in child mortality in Ethiopia

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:51:09 +0000

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Minister of Health, Dr. Tewodros Adhanom, officially launched the 2011 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) today, which reveals many improvements in Ethiopia, particularly in the areas of child mortality and family planning.

Zimbabwe: Survey reports slight decrease in HIV prevalence; HIV testing and prevention knowledge improving

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:50:38 +0000

Harare, Zimbabwe

Fifteen percent of Zimbabweans are HIV-positive, according to the 2010-11 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). This is a slight decrease from 18% in the 2005-06 survey. HIV prevalence continues to be higher among women than men; 18% of women are HIV-positive compared with 12% of men.

Nepal experiences major improvements in demographic and child health indicators

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:57:08 +0000

Kathmandu, Nepal

The Government of Nepal'sMinistry of Health and Population and USAID/Nepal jointly released the findings of the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), highlighting the health, social and economic status and trends in the country.

Child survival and maternal health continue to improve in Rwanda

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:16:25 +0000

Kigali, Rwanda
Rwandan children and mothers are healthier than ever before according to the 2010 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS). Fewer children are dying before their fifth birthday.Fewer women are dying due to pregnancy or childbirth related causes.

Four in ten Nigerian children infected with malaria

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:15:53 +0000

Abuja, Nigeria

Just over 40% of children under age five are infected with malaria, according to a new national survey. “These results show that Nigeria needs to focus on eliminating malaria,” said Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, who launched the study in Abuja. “Nigeria is working towards 2015 as a target to eliminate the disease,” the Minister reported.

One in ten children has malaria

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:38:02 +0000

Luanda, Angola

A recent household survey in Angola shows that 10% of children 6 months through 5 years have malaria according to blood smears examined through microscopy. Children living in the hyperendemic region were most likely to be infected (16%) according to the 2011 Angola Malaria Indicator Survey (AMIS) released today.

New survey shows significant improvement in maternal and child health; challenges remain

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:19:18 +0000

Kabul, Afghanistan
Many more Afghan women are receiving skilled care today during pregnancy and delivery than a decade ago, and more women and children are surviving today than ever before as a result of greater access to health facilities and better care according to the Afghanistan Mortality Survey (AMS) 2010. Despite the challenging situation implementing this survey, the AMS 2010, released today, represents some 87 percent of the population and provides needed data on the current state of healthcare in Afghanistan, confirming the remarkable achievements made in the health sector over the past decade.

Fewer maternal and child deaths in Cambodia

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:41:37 +0000

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Both childhood and maternal mortality have decreased in recent years according to the just-released 2010 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS). The under-five mortality rate has dropped from 124 in 2000 to only 54 in 2010. This means that currently, about one in 20 children dies before the age of 5 in Cambodia. In 2000, approximately one in every eight children died before age 5. Maternal mortality has also dropped, from a rate of 472 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 206 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010.

Effective contraception key to reducing induced abortions and unintended births

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:24:51 +0000

Calverton, Maryland, USA
About one-third of unintended births and one-half of all induced abortions in developing countries could be prevented if women switched to more effective contraceptive methods, according to a new analytical study published by ICF Macro. Analyses of reproductive histories among women in 20 low- and middle-income countries included in the new study show that contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancies and births are very common among family planning users.

MEASURE DHS Releases New Website and STATcompiler

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:01:19 +0000

Calverton, Maryland, USA
The new MEASURE DHS website (www.measuredhs.com) and STATcompiler (www.statcompiler.com) were launched today, introducing the global community to new ways of visualizing Demographic and Health Surveys data. New features of the website include an interactive map of countries and surveys, an enhanced publications library, and more information on survey methodology. The new, more user-friendly STATcompiler features customized tables, as well as charts, maps, and scatter plots.

New study finds dramatic increases in mosquito net ownership and HIV testing in Tanzania

Thu, 26 May 2011 21:14:29 +0000

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
More than six in ten households in Tanzania have an insecticide-treated mosquito net, according to the newly released 2010 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). More children are living past their fifth birthday, and HIV testing has increased markedly. However, the 2010 TDHS reveals that many Tanzanian children are malnourished.

New report to be released on quality of health care services in Kenya

Tue, 24 May 2011 23:36:39 +0000

Nairobi, Kenya
The Minister of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 Hon. Wycliff Oparanya, will officially release the 2010 Service Provision Assessment (KSPA) survey results. The report paints a mixed picture of Kenya’s health facilities. Child care, antenatal care, family planning, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections are widely available in at least two-thirds of Kenyan health care facilities.

Services for child health, family planning, and HIV testing available in more than 80% of health care facilities in Namibia

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:42:08 +0000

Windhoek, Namibia
Most health care facilities in Namibia offer the full range of primary care services, according to the 2009 Namibia Health Facility Census (NHFC), the first survey of its kind in Namibia. Nine in ten facilities provide family planning, outpatient care for sick children, treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and HIV testing and counseling, and eight in ten facilities offer antenatal care. Lack of infection control and essential equipment in some services remains a major challenge, the new survey reports.

Infant and child mortality declined substantially over the last five years but remain high

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:44:07 +0000

Dili, Timor-Leste
Infant and child mortality are declining in Timor-Leste, according to the newly released 2009-10 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey (TLDHS). Still, many children are suffering from malnutrition, and too few are fully vaccinated. High fertility and closely spaced pregnancies also place young children at risk.

New national survey shows improvements in health

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:45:38 +0000

Malé, Maldives
Results from the 2009 Maldives Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) show that more Maldivian children are living past their fifth birthday. The survey also reveals high rates of child immunisation. Moreover, nearly all pregnant women in the Maldives receive antenatal care from skilled provider and deliver in a health facility assisted by a skilled provider.

Kenya's new survey shows improvements in health

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:47:04 +0000

Nairobi, Kenya
The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Hon. Mrs. Beth Wambui Mugo, launched the main report of the 2008-09 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) today. It shows that Kenya has made progress in improving children’s health and reducing fertility. More children are living past their fifth birthday, and fertility has declined very modestly. There have also been increases in HIV testing and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge.

The first Demographic and Health Survey provides comprehensive information on the health and demographic status of the Albanian population and shows areas for improvement

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:48:30 +0000

Tirana, Albania
The Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) release the results of the first ever 2008-09 Albanian Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) [English version] [Albanian version].

This survey collected data on demographic patterns, fertility, maternal and child health, HIV, nutrition, migration and women’s empowerment. According to the ADHS, disparities in health and nutrition status, access to health services and levels of knowledge of family planning, HIV/AIDS and STIs are identified as areas for improvement.

Key findings of the 2008-09 ADHS presented today explore the demographic and health indicator trends in Albania. According to the survey, fertility decreased and infant and child mortality declined significantly over the five years preceding the survey.

New Philippines DHS shows small improvements in children's health

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:49:54 +0000

Manila, Philippines
The Philippines continues to make slight but steady progress in improving children’s health and reducing fertility, according to the newly released 2008 Demographic Health Survey (PDHS). More children are living past their fifth birthday, and fertility has declined very modestly.

USAID Celebrates 25 Years of Demographic and Health Surveys

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:51:32 +0000

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Since 1984, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), conceived and funded largely by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has collected and disseminated high quality data that provide critical insight for decision makers to plan, monitor, and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programs. The DHS project staff has helped conduct some 260 surveys in over 90 developing countries. Widely cited by national governments and leaders, international and donor agencies, and USAID, DHS results have played a key role in policy development and in national health system strategy. The project uses consistent survey methods and questionnaires across countries to measure key indicators including infant and child mortality, fertility, family planning use, maternal health, child immunization, and malnutrition levels. Beginning in 2001, DHS began measuring HIV prevalence in national surveys, leading to an international reassessment of both the extent and epidemiology of the AIDS epidemic.

First-ever DHS household survey in Sierra Leone finds vast majority of women seek care in pregnancy

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:55:05 +0000

Freetown, Sierra Leone. Seven years after Sierra Leone’s devastating civil war, which tore apart the country’s health infrastructure, more than 4 in 5 pregnant women sought antenatal care, but only one-quarter of births took place at health facilities, according to the country’s first Demographic and Health Survey.

One in three children in Liberia has malaria, use of mosquito nets low

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:57:16 +0000

Monrovia, Liberia. A house-to-house survey in Liberia found that roughly one-third of children under age five (32%) tested positive for malaria and that just one-quarter of all children slept under a mosquito net the night before the interviews, according to the 2009 Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey (LMIS) released today.

Children fully immunised in Nigeria nearly doubles in five years, but more than one-quarter receive no immunisations

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:59:19 +0000

Abuja, Nigeria. Currently, 23% of children under five in Nigeria are fully immunised, an almost two-fold increase since 2003 when only 13% of children were fully immunised. The new data on child immunisation comes from the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The survey found, however, that 29% of children have not received any immunisations, a slight increase from 2003.

New report finds HIV risk remains high in Sub-Saharan Africa despite improvements

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:01:22 +0000

Calverton, MD - A new MEASURE DHS Comparative Report finds persistent high levels of sexual risk-taking, low levels of condom use, and inadequate coverage of voluntary counseling and testing in sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights large differentials between women and men and wide variations among countries in many attitudes and behaviors concerning HIV.

Child survival improves in Ghana

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:02:57 +0000

Accra, Ghana. Infant and child deaths have decreased dramatically in the last two decades, according to Ghana’s latest Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS). The 2008 nationwide survey also shows increasing rates of vaccination coverage and use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

New study finds dramatic increases in family planning use but HIV prevalence has remained essentially unchanged.

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:07:11 +0000

Lilongwe, Malawi
Forty-two percent of currently married women in Malawiare using a modern method of family planning, according to the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS) which was officially launched on 6th October 2011at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe by Hon Dr. Ken Lipenga, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning.

Ownership and use of mosquito nets rises dramatically in Senegal

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:04:27 +0000

Dakar, Senegal. Ownership of insecticide-treated nets (ITN) has doubled in Senegal in the past 2 years, according to the 2008-09 Senegal Malaria Indicator Survey (Enquête Nationale sur le Paludsime au Sénégal (ENPS-II)). The majority of these households own and use long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN). The survey also included anemia and malaria parasite testing and information on the treatment of malaria. The ENPS-II is the second survey focused on assessing malaria prevention and treatment strategies in Senegal.

Substantial improvements in family planning, maternal health, and child survival in Rwanda

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:05:50 +0000

Kigali, Rwanda. Women and children in Rwanda are healthier, according to the 2007-08 Rwanda Interim Demographic and Health Survey (RIDHS). More women are now using modern contraceptives and are also more likely to give birth in health care facilities. Fewer children are dying before their fifth birthday. These improvements reflect the concerted efforts of the Government of Rwanda and its development partners to meet the health needs of all Rwandan citizens.

Female circumcision decreasing among young women in Egypt

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:07:06 +0000

Cairo, Egypt. While over 90% of Egyptian women age 15-49 have been circumcised, the 2008 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) indicates that female circumcision rates are declining and that support for the practice is waning.

New survey studies maternal mortality and abortion in Ghana

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:08:51 +0000

Accra, Ghana. One in five deaths among Ghanaian women age 15 to 29 is due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth according to a newly released national study, Ghana Maternal Health Survey 2007. Nationwide, Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 451 deaths per 100,000 live births in the seven years preceding the survey, about 40 times the maternal mortality ratio in the United States. Induced abortion is the second most common cause of maternal deaths in Ghana.

HIV prevalence decreases slightly among men in Tanzania; HIV testing more common

Tue, 05 May 2009 13:56:51 +0000

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Fewer men are HIV-positive now than four years ago according to the just released 2007-08 Tanzania Malaria and HIV/AIDS Indicator Survey (THMIS). Currently 4.6% of men are HIV-positive compared to 6.3% reported in the 2003-04 Tanzania HIV/AIDS Indicator Survey. Over 8,700 women and 6,300 men were tested during the 2007-08 THMIS.

Declines in fertility and childhood mortality: Good news from the 2007 Bangladesh DHS

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:13:12 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh. Women are having fewer children, and these children are more likely to survive their early years, according to the newly released 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). Improvements in education, family planning and health are reported in the new survey although progress is delayed in maternal health and child nutrition. The BDHS visited 10,400 households and interviewed almost 11,000 women and 4,000 men.

HIV prevalence remains high in Zambia; knowledge of prevention and HIV testing lagging

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:10:23 +0000

Lusaka, Zambia. One in seven Zambians age 15-49 is HIV-positive, according to the 2007 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). Despite this high prevalence, many Zambians are not fully informed about HIV prevention, and the majority have not gone for HIV testing.

New report links HIV prevalence to people’s characteristics and risk-taking behaviors in 22 developing countries

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:14:38 +0000

Calverton, MD. A new MACRO International/MEASURE DHS Comparative Report based on survey data from 22 developing countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, finds substantial differences in the extent of HIV infection according to individual social and economic characteristics. Overall, HIV prevalence is higher among people who have more education and with more household wealth.

Marshall Islands 2007 Demographic and Health Survey policy notes

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:16:16 +0000

Majuro, Marshall Islands. This information is essential for informed policy decisions, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of programs on health in general and reproductive health in particular at both the national level as well as in the urban and rural areas. A long-term objective of the survey is to strengthen the technical capacity of government organizations to plan, conduct, process, and analyze data from complex national population and health surveys.

1 in 5 children in Tanzania have malaria, but mosquito net use is increasing

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:59:30 +0000

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Almost one in five (18 percent) children under age 5 in Tanzania has malaria according to the recently released 2007-08 Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey (THMIS). Malaria is one of the largest killers of children in Tanzania and also compromises the health of pregnant women. Prevention practices are increasing throughout Tanzania, the report shows, but more significant efforts are needed to reduce the burden of malaria nationwide.

Parental violence and husbands' alcohol use are major indicators of domestic violence, global report finds

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:18:00 +0000

Calverton, MD – A family history of domestic violence and husbands’ alcohol use increase the risk that women will be abused by their husbands or partners, according to a new study from Demographic and Health surveys in 10 countries. The study found that women are significantly more likely to experience intimate partner violence if their husbands or partners got drunk very often compared to women whose partners never drank alcohol or never got drunk.

Unsafe medical injections linked to HIV infection, new study finds

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:20:57 +0000

Calverton, MD - A new MEASURE DHS study of 10 sub-Saharan African countries finds that, in most countries, receiving multiple medical injections is significantly linked to being HIV-infected, for both women and men. Having ever received a blood transfusion also tends to be positively associated with being HIV-infected.

Millions of orphans, vulnerable children

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:19:32 +0000

Calverton, MD. New estimates of the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in sub-Saharan Africa paint a stark picture of the heavy burden borne by Africa’s youngest citizens. The scope of the problem is enormous, with more than 6 million OVC in Tanzania and Uganda, more than 3 million in Cameroon, Kenya and Zimbabwe, slightly less than 3 million in Cote d’Ivoire and Malawi, and a half million in Lesotho, according to a new study.

First-ever domestic violence data available in Jordan

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:22:20 +0000

Amman, Jordan. One in five married women report that they have ever experienced physical violence by their husband reports the 2007 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey. Twelve percent of these women experienced spousal physical violence within the past year. The 2007 JPFHS provides the first nationally representative data on domestic violence in the country.

New survey raises concerns about quality of health care services in Rwanda

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:26:23 +0000

Kigali, Rwanda. While almost all Rwandan health care facilities offer services for sick children and about three-fourths offer antenatal care and family planning, the quality of care needs improvement, according to the newly released 2007 Rwanda Service Provision Assessment Survey (RSPA). Poor infection control, lack of client counseling, and frequent stock outs of essential drugs are the major concerns. These problems are found nationwide, according to the survey of 538 facilities.

First-ever Demographic and Health Survey in Ukraine reveals high levels of hypertension and smoking

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:23:35 +0000

Kiev, Ukraine. Twenty-five percent of women and 32 percent of men have hypertension reports the 2007 Ukraine Demographic and Health Survey. The majority of these women and men are unaware of their hypertensive status. Hypertension increases dramatically as women and men age. Over half of women and men age 45 and older have some form of hypertension, indicating that high blood pressure is a serious public health problem in Ukraine.

Lack of basic health information threatens young people’s futures, global study finds

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:27:58 +0000

Calverton, MD – Across the developing world, thousands of young adults do not know how to protect themselves from HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancies, according to a new global study on youth. Only about a third of young women in Egypt, Jordan, and Indonesia, for example, know that using condoms can reduce the risk of HIV infection.

Overweight women in Africa more likely to have HIV infection

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:25:02 +0000

Calverton, MD – A new Macro International/MEASURE DHS study challenges widely held beliefs about “slim disease,” as HIV was once called. In a study of women in 12 sub-Saharan African countries, authors found that in 10 countries, HIV infection is higher among overweight women than among underweight women.

Namibians taking steps to prevent HIV

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:29:44 +0000

Windhoek, Namibia. More Namibians are getting tested for HIV, young people are waiting longer to start sexual activity, and use of condoms has increased, according to the new 2006-07 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) just released today. At the same time, the HIV epidemic continues to ravage the population.

Macro International awarded MEASURE DHS Phase III contract

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:31:10 +0000

CALVERTON, MD. October 1, 2008-Macro today announced that it was awarded the MEASURE Phase III Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) contract for international survey research in population and health by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The five-year project will support the Monitoring and Evaluation to Assess and Use Results (MEASURE) Program by serving as the Bureau for Global Health's primary demographic and health data collection effort.

First-ever Demographic and Health Survey in DRC reveals low HIV prevalence, high fertility

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:49:55 +0000

Only one percent of Congolese adults are infected with HIV, reports the first ever Democratic Republic of Congo Demographic Health Survey. National prevalence is 1.3 percent, while prevalence is almost twice as high among women as among men (1.6 and 0.9 percent, respectively). Men and women living in urban areas are twice as likely to be infected as those in rural areas.

Lack of preventative care, poor infection control major challenges in Uganda

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:32:33 +0000

Calverton, MD - More than 70 percent of health care facilities in Uganda offer basic health services--curative care for sick children, immunisation, treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and family planning; 45 percent of facilities provide 24-hour services for childbirth. Preventive care and counseling are far less available. Lack of running water and shortages of some types of medicines compromise the quality of care offered to children and adults.

Azerbaijan’s fertility holds steady, abortion level falling

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:34:00 +0000

Calverton, MD - The fertility rate is holding steady in Azerbaijan at about 2 children per woman, according to a new national health survey. The State Statistical Committee released the final report for the 2006 Azerbaijan Demographic and Health Survey (AzDHS) recently at a ceremony in Baku. It is the first DHS ever conducted in Azerbaijan. More than 8,000 women and 2,500 men across the country were interviewed for the survey.

HIV prevalence in Liberia remains low; fertility, child deaths decline

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:35:14 +0000

Calverton, MD - According to the nationally representative 2007 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS), 2 percent of Liberian adults age 15-49 are HIV-positive. This low prevalence rate is promising, especially when compared to neighboring countries such as Côte d'Ivoire where HIV prevalence has reached 5 percent.

HIV infection spans all age groups, global report finds

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:36:30 +0000

Calverton, MD - HIV tests among thousands of men and women provide a sobering look at the international epidemic. A new publication, HIV Prevalence Estimates from the Demographic and Health Surveys, summarizes the results of population-based HIV tests in 28 countries among more than 400,000 men and women worldwide.

New Pakistan DHS finds high maternal mortality

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:38:13 +0000

Calverton, MD - In Pakistan, 1 in 89 women will die of maternal causes, according to the 2006-07 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS). Among women age 12 to 49, complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death, accounting for 20 percent of all deaths for women of childbearing age. The National Institute of Population Studies recently released the final report of the 2006-07 PDHS at a ceremony in Islamabad.

Swaziland DHS Final Report released

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:39:37 +0000

Calverton, MD - One in seven children born in Swaziland dies before reaching his or her fifth birthday, and 70 percent of these deaths take place during the child's first year, according to the nationally representative 2006-07 Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS). Reflecting the spread of HIV in Swaziland, mortality rates for infants and children have risen in recent years.

Many more children in Mali fully vaccinated, new DHS says

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:41:09 +0000

Calverton, MD - The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Mali recently released the final report for the 2006 Mali Demographic and Health Survey (EDSM-IV) in Bamako. The EDSM-IV interviewed 14,000 women ages 15 to 49 and 4,000 men ages 15 to 59. More than 8,500 of these adults were also tested for HIV.

Reproductive health improving among youth in Ethiopia

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:42:42 +0000

Calverton, MD - Young adults' reproductive health is steadily improving in Ethiopia, but there is still much room for improvement, according to a new report released by the David and Lucille Packard Foundation. Young men and women are waiting longer before having sex and getting married. According to the report, sexual activity among young men has dropped dramatically since 2000, when 44 percent had ever had sexual intercourse.

Contraceptive use increasing worldwide; knowledge of modern methods universal; new DHS report updates status of family planning in 35 countries

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:44:02 +0000

Calverton, Maryland - Across the developing world, women's knowledge of modern family planning methods is high, and use of modern methods is increasing, according to a new report analyzing data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). Contraceptive Trends in Developing Countries reviews recent survey results from 35 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The report's findings verify that investments in family planning programs over the past decades have paid off and continue to help women and their families around the world.

New country reports highlight global health inequalities

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:45:33 +0000

Calverton, MD - Health care initiatives throughout the developing world should make greater efforts to reach the world's poor, suggests a new series of reports highlighting health inequalities in 56 low-income and middle-income countries. Worldwide, the health of the poor is notably worse than that of the better-off. On average, the poorest suffer under-five mortality and malnutrition rates that are about twice as much as the best-off.

One in five Angolan children has Malaria, according to new national survey

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:47:07 +0000

Calverton, Maryland - One out of five children in Angola has malaria, according to the 2006-07 Angola Malaria Indicator Survey (AMIS 2006-07). In addition, 14 percent of pregnant women tested positive for malaria. Earlier today, the Ministry of Health released the AMIS final report in a ceremony in Luanda. The nationally representative survey is based on interviews with over 2,500 households and close to 3,000 women ages 15 to 49.

Immunization rates decreasing in Benin

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:48:45 +0000

CALVERTON, MD - A new national health survey finds that immunization rates in Benin are decreasing and child nutrition has worsened in recent years. In addition, fertility rates and unmet need for contraception continue to be high. The Ministry of Health recently released the 2006 Benin Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) at a ceremony in Cotonou.

Tanzanian health care facilities offer all basic services, but shortage of commodities and poor infection control are major challenges

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:50:33 +0000

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. More than 70 percent of all health facilities in Tanzania offer a full range of basic health services. Curative care for sick children is almost universally available, and three in four services provide antenatal care and childbirth. At the same time, lack of running water and shortage of some types of medicines compromise the quality of care offered to children and adults.

Indian Government Releases Final Report for New National Health Survey

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:51:55 +0000

New Delhi, India. The much-awaited final report of the 2005-06 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) was released on Thursday, October 11th, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at an official ceremony at the Ashok Hotel, New Delhi. The report offers the first-ever comprehensive picture of the health and well-being of India’s men, women, and children.

Study reveals marriage is leading source of new HIV infections

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:53:16 +0000

Calverton, MD - A new Macro International Inc./MEASURE DHS study authored by Vinod Mishra and others challenges widespread beliefs about which partner brings HIV into marriages. The new study finds that in 4 of the 11 countries studied, women were the infected partner in a majority of cases. Most HIV prevention efforts have been aimed at men.

Postpartum care scarce in developing world

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:54:47 +0000

Calverton, MD – In much of the developing world, as many as 7 out of 10 women do not receive any postpartum care after delivery, according to a new comparative report from the MEASURE DHS Project. Postpartum Care: Levels and Determinants in Developing Countries takes a close look at postpartum care in 30 developing countries, using data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 1999 and 2004.

Children's health worsening in Zimbabwe

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:57:24 +0000

Calverton, MD. In the face of economic hardship, Zimbabweans are struggling to preserve their families’ health. According to the new 2005-06 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), children’s health is worsening as vaccination rates drop and malnutrition and anemia increase. The final report was released today.

New Zimbabwe survey finds one in six adults has HIV

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:56:03 +0000

Calverton, MD. One in six adults in Zimbabwe (18 percent) has HIV, according to the new 2005-06 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). The ZDHS findings show that the HIV epidemic is generalized across all provinces in Zimbabwe, ranging from 15 percent in Masvingo to 21 percent in Matabeleland South. The final report was released today.

New national survey finds 19 percent of the Swazi population age 2 and older has HIV - Other health indicators show improvements

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:59:00 +0000

Calverton, MD - Among the general population ages 2 to 60 plus, HIV prevalence is 19 percent, according to the preliminary findings of the new 2006-07 Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS). More than one in four adults age 15-49 in Swaziland (26 percent) is infected with HIV. The Central Statistical Office released the preliminary SDHS results on Wednesday in Mbabane. The survey interviewed residents and obtained blood samples for anaemia and HIV testing in a representative national sample of Swazi households between July 2006 and February 2007.

Ministry of Health releases results of new Armenia Demographic and Health Survey

Thu, 31 May 2007 01:01:59 +0000

Calverton, MD. Earlier today, the Ministry of Health released the final report for the 2005 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS). The survey, which interviewed nearly 8,000 men and women across the country, was implemented by the National Statistical Service and the Ministry of Health. The ADHS found that Armenia’s total fertility rate (TFR) is 1.7, the same as it was three years preceding the survey. The TFR represents the total number of children a woman will bear during her reproductive years.

Niger DHS shows some improvements in child health, but maternal health remains poor

Thu, 31 May 2007 01:00:27 +0000

Calverton, MD. According to the recently released 2006 Niger DHS Multiple Indicator Survey, vaccination for children has improved, but women’s fertility remains very high and there has been no improvement in maternal health since the last survey was conducted in 1998.

Maternal and child heath making slow progress, according to new Haiti DHS

Sat, 26 May 2007 01:03:25 +0000

Calverton, MD - Maternal and child health in Haiti have improved only slightly in the last twenty years, and many health indicators remain troubling, according to the latest Demographic and Health Survey, released in May.

Nepal experiences big drop in fertility

Fri, 25 May 2007 01:04:50 +0000

Calverton, MD - Fertility in Nepal has dropped by one child over the past five years, according to the newly released 2006 Demographic and Health Survey. Currently, women have an average of 3.1 births during their lifetimes. This represents a significant decline in fertility since 2001 when women were having an average of 4.1 births. This decline is due in part to the continued increase in the use of family planning.

New national Cambodian survey finds big decline in childhood mortality

Wed, 23 May 2007 01:07:28 +0000

Calverton, MD – The newly released 2005 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) shows a remarkable decline in childhood mortality over the past five years. Both infant and under-five mortality have declined by more than 30% since 2000. Currently, there are 66 infant deaths per 1000 live births, down from 95 deaths per 1000 live births five years ago.

Less than one percent of Cambodian adults are HIV positive, but misconceptions about HIV are widespread

Wed, 23 May 2007 01:06:06 +0000

Calverton, MD – Results from the recently released 2005 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) indicate that 0.6 percent of Cambodian adults age 15-49 are infected with HIV. Prevalence is the same for women and men. The new survey used population-based methods rather than sentinel surveillance.

International Women's Day 2007

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 02:09:03 +0000

Calverton, MD – While International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women worldwide, it is also a time to acknowledge the challenges women confront every day. For women in developing countries, many of these challenges are health-related. Worldwide, women struggle with anemia, lack of family planning services, sexually transmitted infections, and domestic violence.

Little improvement in women's lives since 1994 Cairo conference

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:10:24 +0000

Calverton, MD. Limited progress has been made in improving the health and well-being of women worldwide over the past decade. The publication Women’s Lives and Experiences: Changes in the Past Ten Years takes a close look at how women’s lives have improved since the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. Overall, the pace of change has been slow, and in some places, women are actually facing more hardships than before.

"World AIDS Day 2006" - New data from MEASURE DHS

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:11:51 +0000

Calverton, MD. Twenty-five years after the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), millions of people in developing countries still do not understand how the virus is transmitted or how they can protect themselves from it. For the past five years, the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) project, with primary funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has been collecting nationally representative data to better understand the dynamics of the epidemic in less developed countries.

2005 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey results reveal lower HIV prevalence than previous estimates

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 01:13:20 +0000

Calverton, MD. The Central Statistical Agency along with the Ministry of Health released the results of the 2005 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey in Addis Ababa on Monday, September 18th. The major results include an HIV prevalence rate of 1.9 percent ,improvements in child health, stagnation in women’s health, and a large increase in the use of family planning.

Six percent of adults in Uganda are infected with HIV

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 01:14:43 +0000

Calverton, MD. According to the newly released Uganda HIV/AIDS Sero-Behavioural Survey (UHSBS), approximately 6 percent of men and women age 15-49 in Uganda are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This rate is similar to other reported national estimates of HIV infection.

Kenya health care services battle AIDS

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 02:16:03 +0000

Nairobi, Kenya. Just over half of Kenya’s hospitals and 12 percent of its health centers now provide antiretroviral treatment (ART) for people living with HIV, according to a recently published national survey. While ART services are still not available to everyone, Kenya’s health care system is increasingly providing these life-saving medicines as well as other prevention and treatment services for people facing AIDS.

One in four adults in Lesotho is HIV positive

Sat, 25 Feb 2006 02:17:19 +0000

Calverton, MD. The 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) included population-level HIV testing for the first time. Testing was anonymous and strictly voluntary. According to LDHS data, 24% of adults are HIV-positive. LDHS data point to the unequal distribution of the virus. Women are far more likely to be infected than men (26% and 19%, respectively).

Tanzania sees improvement in child health, while risky sexual behavior remains common

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 02:21:21 +0000

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania. The 2004-05 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) released on Wednesday revealed that health indicators for Tanzanian children have improved markedly in the past five years, while family planning and fertility rates are unchanged from the last survey conducted in 1999. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is high, but less than one-third of men and women know how to prevent maternal-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Many Tanzanian children not sleeping under insecticide-treated nets

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 02:19:49 +0000

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania. Only 16 percent of children under age five slept under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) the night before their households were interviewed, according to the newly released Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey. Health officials recommend that all children under age 5 and pregnant women sleep under ITNs to prevent malaria, which is the leading cause of death for children and adults in this east African country.

New report finds dramatic improvement in Tanzanian child survival rates

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 02:18:32 +0000

DAR ES SALAAM - Significantly more Tanzanian infants are living to see their first birthday than did five years ago, according to the newly released 2004-05 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). The infant mortality rate is now 68 deaths per 1,000 live births, while five years ago the 1999 survey showed an infant mortality rate of 99 deaths per 1,000 live births.

An in-depth analysis of HIV prevalence in Ghana

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 02:22:40 +0000

Calverton, MD. This study looks at a sub sample of sexually experienced men and women who were tested for HIV during the 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS). Using bivariate and multivariate analysis, the authors examined the association between HIV prevalence and socio demographic characteristics, HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and sexual behavior.

Maternal and child health in Chad: 8 years of stagnation

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 02:24:11 +0000

N'Djamena, Chad. On Tuesday, December 6, 2005, the Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation of Chad, the Honorable Mahamat Ali Hassan, officially opened the Dissemination Seminar on the findings of the 2004 Chad Demographic and Health Survey (EDST-II). Overall, results show that the status of maternal and child health has not changed in Chad since 1996-97, when the first DHS survey took place in that country.

Use and availability of family planning services show marked improvement in Ghana

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 01:25:29 +0000

Calverton, MD. Knowledge and use of family planning have increased markedly in Ghana, and the country is well on its way to achieving the population policy goals set forth by the Ghanaian government. A trends report published recently by the MEASURE DHS project found that Ghana has now surpassed its goal of lowering the nation's total fertility rate to 5.0 children per woman by the year 2000, as it now stands at 4.4.

Wealthy and educated women are the most vulnerable to HIV infection in Cameroon

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 01:26:43 +0000

Calverton, MD. Seven percent of women in Cameroon are infected with HIV, compared with 4% among men, according to the latest Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS), conducted from February to August of 2004, the third DHS of its kind in this country.

Early marriage in Bangladesh: still highest in Asia

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 21:08:00 +0000

Calverton, MD. Early marriage and childbearing remain major obstacles to further fertility decline in Bangladesh. More than half of women marry before age 15. This is the highest rate of early marriage in Asia and among the highest worldwide. Nevertheless, fertility in Bangladesh is now on the decline after a ten-year stagnation.

MEASURE DHS releases a new CD on female genital cutting (FGC)

Tue, 19 Jul 2005 01:28:10 +0000

Calverton, MD. The CD-Rom assembles all information on female genital cutting (FGC) collected since 1989 under the DHS project, including: FGC chapters from final reports, survey questionnaires on FGC, text of FGC module currently used, and DHS publications on FGC, including a newly released comparative report. For a free copy of the CD, see the contact information below.

New DHS report on female genital cutting in 16 countries shows changes over time

Tue, 03 May 2005 01:29:44 +0000

CALVERTON, Maryland - Female genital cutting is on the decline in some areas, and practices are changing, according to a new report. Also known as female circumcision and female genital mutilation, female genital cutting (FGC) varies among ethnic groups and has been widely misunderstood, says the report.

Seven percent of Tanzanians infected with HIV

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 01:33:20 +0000

Tanzania continues to battle high HIV infection rates, according to the new Tanzania AIDS Indicator Survey (THIS). Seven percent of adult men and women are infected with HIV. Nationwide, prevalence is higher in urban areas. The regions of Iringa and Mbeya have the highest prevalence rate at 13 percent.

Madagascar Experiences Dramatic Improvements in Women’s and Children’s Health

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 01:31:39 +0000

Mothers and children in Madagascar have experienced a two-fold improvement in health in recent years. Breast feeding, use of family planning, vitamin A supplementation, and vaccination coverage are all on the rise, according to the latest MEASURE DHS survey released April 8 in Antananarivo.

Report: Domestic violence threatens health of children with lower immunization rates and Higher mortality rates and poor nutrition

Fri, 10 Sep 2004 01:36:16 +0000

Domestic violence has an obvious impact on the health and well being of the women being abused, but a new report also highlights important intergenerational effects of such violence: the children of abused women are also more likely to suffer health problems.