CEBU - The National Statistics Office has started the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey taken every five years as part of the worldwide Demographic and Health Survey Program.
This year’s survey is the 9th since the country adopted it in 1968.
According to NSO official website, NDHS aims to collect data which will allow estimation of demographic indicators, particularly fertility and under five mortality rates and gather data on family and environmental health.
It is also formulated to collect information on awareness and prevalence of tuberculosis and determine the knowledge of women about HIV or AIDS as well as to determine the extent of violence against women.
Information on fertility, family planning, health and nutrition in the country gathered will be used by the government in monitoring the process of its programs on population, health and nutrition.
The survey will interview women 15 to 49 years old in sample households.
Respondents will be asked questions about their background, their children and its background, knowledge on family planning methods, reproductive health and other information assumed to be useful to policymakers and administrators in the health and the family planning fields.
Through the survey, NSO hopes to get information on all the factors about the health of the people.
Personnel tasked to do the survey were trained to ensure that they have the capacity to do the survey efficiently.
NSO policy orders that all information gathered will not be divulged to anyone but to authorized NSO personnel only. It should not be used also for purposes like taxation, investigation or enforcement.
NSO has allotted a budget of P60.2 million for the survey. — Jessica Ann Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)