The Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) is in progress. The indicators from the survey will show the current status and trends in important areas of health care delivery such as reproductive health, maternal health, child health, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. The survey is also a major source of information about health seeking behaviour regarding individuals and communities.
WHAT IS THE ZAMBIA DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY
The Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) is a nationwide government exercise. It is conducted through collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Central Statistical office (CSO).
AIM – The aim of the ZDHS is to provide information for use by Policy makers, researchers, planners and programme implementers to facilitate better provision of services, in areas such as Family Planning, Fertility, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, Maternal; Health and Child Health issues.
SELECTION – Participating Households (homes) were selected at random. The selected households are the ones being visited by the data collectors.
IDENTIFICATION - The data collectors are professional staff drawn from the Central Statistical Office and the Ministry of Health. The data collectors carry valid identification, such as, ZDHS introductory letter, field Badges and will be dressed in a ZDHS T- Shirt.
WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF THE ZDHS
The ZDHS helps government to identify existing health problems in our communities. This information helps government plan and implement better health and other social services
It helps government to monitor and evaluate the impact of existing services and is used in the development of new programmes.
The information from the ZDHS helps prioritize the identified goods and services to provide for the health sector.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF DATA COLLECTION
The survey has a household questionnaire
Individual interviews will also be conducted for males aged 15-59 years and Females aged 15 – 49 years.
In addition data collector will request the respondents for a sample of blood.
Some samples will be collected through a finger prick, from every selected household.
For every third household, more blood will be collected from the vein.
WHY COLLECT BLOOD SAMPLES
The are two main reasons why the blood samples will be drawn:
1. Blood collected through a finger prick – These samples will be used for HIV testing. Note that the HIV testing will only be done in the laboratory after the field work is completed. The results for HIV will therefore not be given back to the respondent.
2. Blood collected through the vein – These blood samples will be used for testing Syphilis. The testing for Syphilis will be done in the field and the results will be disclosed to the respondents under strictest confidence. For all the persons who will be found to have Syphilis, the data collectors will offer treatment to them.
For persons who want to know their HIV status, they will be advised to go to the nearest health facility of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre where they will be given the full necessary services.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE BLOOD SAMPLES
The results for the HIV test will be used by government for a number of reasons
1. To have an estimate of the HIV prevalence rate in the country
2. To plan for HIV services in the different health Facilities
3. To plan on the HIV treatment requirements for the whole country, such as, the amount of HIV drugs to purchase
IMPLICATIONS OF NOT PROVIDING THE REQUIRED IMFORMATION
The government will not have adequate information to use for planning therefore;
There will be inadequate drugs in health facilities for particular health problems e. g. HIV drugs, Malaria drugs etc.
Without adequate information, the government may not be able to provide the necessary health services in the various health facilities e. g family planning services, VCT sites, TB corners etc.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2007 ZDHS
Some people may believe that the blood collected can be used for Satanism or Witchcraft. Be assured that these blood samples will be used by government for Syphilis and HIV testing only.
Some people may believe that only those who are sick or have patients at home are selected for the survey. Be assured that selection of the households was done using a scientific method that randomly selects some household and leaves out others.
Some people may believe that during the process of collecting blood samples, one can get infected. Be assured that only qualified personnel are being used to collect samples and are following recommended procedures when collecting blood samples.
All equipment being used to collect blood is new and is not being reused.
Some people may fear to be told their HIV status. Be assured that during this survey, results for HIV will not be revealed. The only results that will be revealed are the Syphilis results. However, the respondents who wish to know their HIV results will be referred to Health facilities or Counseling and Testing centres and those who test positive for Syphilis will be treated if they agree.
Some people may fear that they could run out of blood if they give a blood sample. Be assured that the amount to be collected is very little.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU
Once selected to be interviewed, you are urged to cooperate with the data collectors. Kindly allow them to conduct all the interviews and to collect the blood samples. Remember that this is a national activity that is aimed at improving health service delivery in the country.
For clarification and more information on the Zambia Demographic and Survey 2007, please contact the ZDHS secretariat at the address below:
Central statistical office
Nationalist Road
P. O. box 31908
Opposite UTH
Lusaka Ministry of Health
Ndeke House
P. O. Box 30205
Lusaka
Tel: 260-21-1-251377
Fax: 260-21-1-253468
Mobile: 097-9-076683 Tel: 260-21-1-253045
Fax: 260-21-1-253344