By Mabinty M. Kamara
Statistics Sierra Leone has in an effort to popularize findings of the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) report engaged journalists in Freetown for better understanding of the key findings of the survey and its methodologies.
The report among others revealed a decline in the Maternal Mortality rate in Sierra Leone compared to the 2013 data.
The report revealed infant mortality rate at 75 deaths per 1,000 live births; Neonatal mortality rate; children surviving to age 12 months at 39 deaths per 1,000, while the overall under-5 mortality rate was 122 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to infant mortality rate recorded at 92 deaths per 1,000 live births, Neonatal mortality rate at 31 deaths per 1,000 live births, under-five mortality rate at 156 per 1,000 live births in 2013.
The report says there is still more work to be done if the country should meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 — to “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages” with 13 associated targets. Target 3.1 which calls for the global maternal mortality ratio to be below 70 deaths per 100 000 live births, Target 3.2 calls for all countries to lower their child mortality to at most 25 per 1000 live births and their neonatal (age 0-28 days) mortality to at most 12 per 1000 live births by 2030.
The survey which was carried out by Statistics Sierra Leone with data collected from May 14, 2019, to August 31, 2019 was intended to among others provide an up-to-date information on health indicators which includes: nutrition status of children, early childhood and maternal mortality, maternal and child health , fertility levels, sexual activity, fertility preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, breast feeding practices, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices , awareness and behaviours regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.
During the presentation of the key findings of the report to Journalists at a day workshop held on the 7th of January 2020, the Director, Demographic Health and Social Statistics, Statistic Sierra Leone, Sonnai-Magba Bu-Buakei Jabbi urged the media to ensure that the findings in the reports are disseminated to the population so that the gaps in the various sectors can be addressed.
“I think this is the most important step where the result generated in any statistical study is passed on to the general public in a very orderly and productive manner. And the essence of this, is to bring the journalists here to take you through the key talking points of DHS and have you go through the presentation that we will do, so that you understand what the key points are for dissemination to the general public,” he said.
The survey was funded by the government of Sierra Leone and other development partners such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, the Global Fund, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Department for International Development (DFID).
ICF provided technical assistance through The DHS Program, which assists countries in the collection of data to monitor and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programmes.
The 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) according to officials is the third Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Sierra Leone, and follows those implemented in 2008 and 2013.
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