by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The National Population Commission says, the National Demographic and Health Survey (HDHS) is a key project aimed at advancing the field of knowledge, policy formulation and health sector of the nation.
The State Director for National Population Commission in Plateau State, Mrs Felicia James Mwolpun, disclosed this recently to newsmen in Jos at a Press Conference.
According to her, “Findings from the survey will provide insight on the current status of demographic and health sector indicators across state, regional and national level and the basis upon which informed plans and policies could be designed to address demographic health and social challenges facing Nigeria.”
She explained that, “For over three decades, the National Population Commission has spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry Health and key partners.”
The State Director noted that, “The survey has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions, and contributes to the broader development agenda of the nation.
“Together, we have elevated this survey from a research institution, a corner-stone of dependable demographic and health metrics for Nigeria,” she noted.
According to her, the objective of the 2023-2024 NEHS is to collect high-quality data on fertility levels awareness and use of family planning methods, material and child health, childhood mortality, childhood immunization, breastfeeding and young child feeding practices, nutritional status of women and children, as mortality.
She said the survey also gathered information on women empowerment, domestic violence, female genitals mutilation, fistula, prevalence of malaria, awareness and behavior regarding HIV/AID and other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), including other health-related issues such as disability, tobacco use, tuberculosis.
The survey is also to assess factors that impact on maternal and neonatal health, including antenatal and delivery care, and treatment of pregnancy-related conditions and to assess the nutrition of women 15-49 years and children under five years of age through anthropometric measurements height and weight.
Others are to conduct blood testing on women from 15-49 years old and children from 0-59 months to estimate the prevalence of anemia, and to provide information to address the evaluation needs of maternal and child health and family planning programs for evidence-based planning.
Mrs Felicia Mwolpun stressed that, the survey is also to produce results in a timely manner and ensure that data is disseminated widely for use by program managers and policy makers in government and none-governmental organizations.
“This would also foster and reinforce Nigeria’s ownership of data collection analysis presentation and use by utilizing its own manpower, and to also strengthen national capacity by implementing better use of collected data for identifying demographic and health-related basic social needs, using the data to develop strategies for equitable growth and social poverty reduction, and linking such strategies to national development strategies.”
The State Director explained further that, “In Plateau State, the survey will be conducted in 39 selected clusters across the 17 local government areas of the state by a survey team, which is consisting of 13 persons, who as we speak are already on the field working, and will move from one local government to the next and from one cluster to the next, until they finish. Households in each of the selected clusters will be visited by the interviewers, and eligible respondents will be administered the questionnaire.”
She said the survey started, from December 11, 2023, to April 11, 2024, and solicited the support and cooperation of the State Government as well as Plateau State citizens and residents of the selected clusters.
The director further assured the citizens that the data collection would be in strict confidentiality and will be more than mere figures and letters but a true reflection of their demographic and health status as well as the hope for a better life.