The DHS Program

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.