Providing demographic data for national planning, National Population Commission in collaboration with other agencies had launched the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2023-24 in Ondo State

The Commission said it has started the exercise from Akure South local government area and LCDAs under it and it will last till April, 2024.

At a media briefing in Akure, National Chairman of National Population Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra said the impact of the programme transcend statistics but extend to the lives every individual, family and every community in Nigeria

The NPC will be collaborating with Federal Ministry of Health and support from United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA); United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF); Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Fund conducts.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, the State Director of NPC, Mr Tubosun Falusi stated that NDHS is a nationally representative survey designed to provide information on the demographic and health status of the population.

“NDHS provides detailed information on the levels and trends of fertility, family planning, maternal and child health and other health indicators in the country.

The NDHS is part of the Global DHS program funded by USAID and implemented by ICF, providing technical supports. The NDHS was conducted in Nigeria in 1999, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018.

“The objective of the 2023-24 NDHS project is to provide up-to-date information on fertility levels; nuptiality; sexual activity; fertility preferences; awareness and use of tamily planning methods; breastfeeding practices; nutritional status of mothers young children, early childhood mortality and maternal mortality, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS and other health issues.

“This information on the demographic and health status of the population will be useful in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of intervention programmes in the health and social sectors”.

According to him, over three decades, the Commission has spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS, in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and key partners.

He added that the survey has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence – based policies, enhance public health interventions and contribute to the broader development agenda of the Nation.

“Together, we have elevated this survey from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics for Nigeria.

“The data we collect and analyze will not merely be numerical values, they will represent the health, aspirations and challenges of our communites.

“The impact of our work transcends statistics. It extends to the lives of every individual, every family and every community in Nigeria”.

The 2023-24 NDHS will take place in all States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. However, the survey will take place in randomly selected 42,000 households (urban – 31,030 and rural – 20,970) drawn from 1,400 clusters (701 urban and 699 rural). The target population are women aged 15-49 years and men aged 15-59 years.

The field work for the 2023-24 NDHS will take place from December, 2023 to April, 2024.

The Zonal Coordinator for the exercise at the NPC, Mr Joseph Ilelaboye opined that the role of the State and Local Government is to give total support in areas like security, transportation and others.

He added that NDHS has started in Ondo State and has taken place in Oda road and Isikan, stressing that there are 37 clusters in Ondo State.