The 2009 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (2009 LDHS) is a nationally representative survey of 7,624 women age 15-49 and 3,317 men age 15-59 from 9,391 households covering 400 sample points (enumeration areas) throughout Lesotho. This survey is the second nationally representative population and health survey conducted as part of the worldwide Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) programme. The survey is designed to provide data to monitor the population and health situation in Lesotho. The sample was selected from the 2006 Population Census in two stages and was designed to produce separate estimates for key indicators for (1) the country as a whole, (2) urban and rural areas, (3) the four ecological zones, and (4) each of the ten districts in Lesotho. Data collection took place over a three-month period, from 16 October 2009 to 26 January 2010.
The survey obtained detailed information on fertility levels and preferences, marriage, sexual activity, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of women and young children, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, awareness and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and tuberculosis. In addition, the 2009 LDHS carried out anaemia testing in adults and in children under age 5 and HIV testing in women age 15-49 and men age 15-59. Blood pressure measurements were also collected from the same adults.
The 2009 LDHS was implemented by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) with the support of the Bureau of Statistics (BOS). Technical assistance was provided through the MEASURE DHS programme, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Financial support for the survey was provided by the government of Lesotho; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund); Irish Aid; Millennium Challenge Account (MCA); President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); National AIDS Commission (NAC); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), USAID, and World Health Organisation (WHO).
The final report is available
here.
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