STATISTICS SIERRA LEONE LAUNCHES DHS REPORT

Statistics Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 30th September 2014 officially launched the over 300 pages 2013 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) final report at the Radisson Blu Hotel (Mammy Yoko) in Freetown.

The SLDHS was conducted by Statistics Sierra Leone and other partners to provide reliable and credible data on critical health indicators like fertility, child mortality, HIV/AIDS prevalence, malaria, anemia, family planning, nutrition, domestic violence, marriage etc.

The report provides benchmark data for policy makers and development planners in evaluating and formulating programmes and strategies for improving health and family planning services in the country. 

The survey was the second to be held in Sierra Leone since 2008. The results of the 2008 survey provided benchmark data that significantly influenced the introduction of the free health care for pregnant women, lactating mothers and under – five children.

According to the report, child mortality rates decreased from 227 under-five deaths per 1,000 live births between 1999 and 2003 to 156 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2009 and 2013. In the five year period before the survey, infant and under-five mortality rates are 92 and 156 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.

For fertility, the report states women in Sierra Leone have “an average of 4.9 children, a slight decrease from 5.1 in 2008. Women in rural areas have 2.2 more children than women in urban areas.”

In reproductive health, 6 in 10 births are attended by a skilled provider whilst the use of contraceptives among married women has increased drastically from 7% in 2008 to 16% in 2013.

For HIV/AIDS, the national prevalence rate was recorded at 1.5%. Prevalence among women is highest with 1.7% and men 1.3%. Kono and Western Area records the highest number of HIV positive women at 3.6% and 3.3% respectively and lowest in Kailahun and Kambia at 0.9%, each. Among men, HIV prevalence is highest in the Western Rural (3.6%) and Western Urban (3.3%) districts.

The survey was conducted among 16, 658 women between the ages of 15-49 and 7,262 men aged between 15-59 years. The exercise recorded a response rate of 97% women and 96% men.

The launching ceremony was graced by the Hon. Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Alhaji FBL Mansaray, Deputy Minister of Health II Foday Sawi, UN Resident Coordinator, David Mc- Lachlan –Karr, UNFPA Representative, Bannet Ndyanabanji, Statistics Sierra Leone Council Chairman, Dr. Sullay Kamara, Statistician General, Mohamed King Koroma and representatives from National Aids Secretariat, DFID and World Bank.

Samuel M Serry Jr. - Communications Officer

Additional information about the SLDHS could be obtained from Statistics Sierra Leone, A.J Momoh Street, Tower Hill PMB595, Freetwon Sierra Leone.
Telephone +232-76-610-004 +232-76869-801. Email: statistics@statistics.sl