Demographic and Health Survey 2013-2014 (Zambia)

Abstract

The Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) is a nationally representative sample survey of women and men of reproductive age. The main objective is to provide information on levels and trends in fertility, childhood mortality, use of family planning methods, maternal and child health indicators including HIV/AIDS. This information is necessary for programme managers, policymakers, and implementers to monitor and evaluate the impact of existing programmes and to design new initiatives for health policies in Zambia.

The primary objectives of the 2013-14 ZDHS are:
• To collect up-to-date information on fertility, infant and child mortality, and family planning.
• To collect information on health-related matters such as breastfeeding, antenatal care, children’s immunisations, and childhood diseases.
• To assess knowledge of contraceptive practices among women.
• To assess the nutritional status of mothers and children.
• To improve understanding of variations in HIV seroprevalence levels according to social and economic characteristics and behavioural risk factors.
• To estimate levels of HIV incidence in the general population of adults.
• To estimate unmet need for antiretroviral treatment.

In the case of HIV/AIDS, the testing component of the 2013-14 ZDHS was undertaken to provide information to address the monitoring and evaluation needs of government and nongovernmental programmes dealing with HIV/AIDS. It also provides programme managers and policymakers with the information they need to effectively plan and implement future interventions. The overall objective was to collect high-quality and representative data on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding HIV/AIDS and other STIs and on the prevalence and incidence of HIV among women and men.