The DHS Program

Edwin Agola
IPP MEDIA (Tanzania)

Tanzania’s Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) report unveiled this week shows that the Total Fertility Rate (FTR) in the country stands at 5.4 children per woman, down from 5.7 children per woman recorded in 2004.

It also shows that the disparity between urban and rural areas ranges between 3.9 in the eastern regions and 7.1 in the western zone...

Samuel Siringi
DAILY NATION (Kenya)

...Among public and private public health facilities, 76 percent charge some fee for the services.

Results of the Kenya Service Provision Assessment Survey 2010 released on Tuesday show that hospitals charge for condoms, oral pills and injections.

Clients are also asked to pay for registration and consultation...

Ashley Lime
DAILY NATION (Kenya)

...In a speech read by Economic Planning Secretary Dr Steven Wainaina during the launch of the 2010 Kenya Service Provision Assessment (KSPA) Report, Mr Oparanya said despite the overall improvement in the provision of health care services, more needed to be done for maternal health care.

“We want to encourage all pregnant women to have access to skilled care at all stages of pregnancy, delivery and post-natal care,” Mr Oparanya said.

“We also want to increase the capacity of clinics to provide maternity care and encourage women to seek professional help”...

Joy Wanja
DAILY NATION (Kenya)

...In less than 40 minutes, she was admitted to Pumwani Maternity Hospital and booked for a Caesarean section — a surgical incision through the abdominal and uterine walls in order to deliver a baby.

When she regained consciousness at 8pm, she was the proud mother to twin-daughters Margaret Wahu and Agnes Wambui.

It would have been a different story had Ms Njambi lived in a rural area, near a health facility that does not provide Caesarean section services.

The 2010 Kenya Service Provision Assessment Survey released on Tuesday is a catalogue of the disparities in maternal health care across the country that leave women in rural areas vulnerable in an emergency...

Joy Wanja
DAILY NATION (Kenya)

...According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, only an estimated 39 percent of people living in urban areas are using contraceptives, largely because they are unaware of family planning options, lack access, or are influenced by myths on the methods.

The roll-out is expected to fill the gap in contraceptive needs and assist women living in urban areas to understand their family planning choices, know where to access the services and encourage confidence to seek out and use family planning services...