Rawal Medical Journal | 2019
Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18.
Abstract
The 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) was implemented by the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) under the aegis of the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination. This PDHS is the fourth to be conducted in Pakistan and follows surveys in 1990-91 2006-07 and 2012-13. Data collection took place from 22 November 2017 to 30 April 2018. ICF provided technical assistance through The DHS Program which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and offers financial support and technical assistance for population and health surveys in countries worldwide. Support for the survey was also provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). According to the Population Census of 2017 the total population of Pakistan is 207 million with a growth rate of 2.4% (Government of Pakistan 2017). The size of the population and the growth rate present serious challenges to governmental efforts to prevent food insecurity water scarcity rapid urbanisation inadequate housing and loss of economic opportunities. Such challenges necessitate regular assessment of their demographic impact through collection of reliable data in surveys such as the PDHS. The primary objective of the 2017-18 PDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. The PDHS provides a comprehensive overview of population maternal and child health issues in Pakistan. Specifically the 2017-18 PDHS collected information on: Key demographic indicators particularly fertility and under-5 mortality rates at the national level for urban and rural areas and within the country’s eight regions; Direct and indirect factors that determine levels and trends of fertility and child mortality; Contraceptive knowledge and practice; Maternal health and care including antenatal perinatal and postnatal care; Child feeding practices including breastfeeding and anthropometric measures to assess the nutritional status of children under age 5 and women age 15-49; Key aspects of family health including vaccination coverage and prevalence of diseases among infants and children under age 5; Knowledge and attitudes of women and men about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS and potential exposure to risk; Womens empowerment and its relationship to reproductive health and family planning; Disability level; Extent of gender-based violence; Migration patterns. The information collected through the 2017-18 PDHS is intended to assist policymakers and program managers at the federal and provincial government levels in the private sector and at international organisations in evaluating and designing programs and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population. The data also provides information on indicators relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals.