The Department of Statistics announces the initiation of the fieldwork stage of the Demographic and Health Survey ( DHS)

    H.E.Dr. Gazi Shbaikat (the Director General of Statistics) announced the initiation of the fieldwork stage of the DHS 2007 in the presence of H.E.Dr. Ali Asa’ad (Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health), David Pit (Resident representative of the USAID) and Mrs. Muna Idris (Assistant resident representative of the UNFPA).

     Dr. Shbaikat has emphasized during his speech, on the partnership policy adopted by the DoS  in  implementing censuses and surveys, to ensure that the results meet the needs of these parties (whether governmental or non-governmental). Dr. Shbaikat noted that the input of the questionnaire was discussed in details with the experts from the Ministry of Health and other concerned institutions, so that the output satisfies their needs within the available financial and human resources. 

    Dr.Shbaikat extended his thanks to the officials of the Ministry of Health for their valuable cooperation in implementing this survey by providing training facilities and technical teams. He also thanked the (USAID) and the (UNFPA) for their immense cooperation by funding this survey and for Macro International for offering the necessary technical support.

      Dr.Asa’ad on his turn welcomed the enhancement of cooperation with the (DoS) as a statistical data producer which is considered as basic requirements for drawing their plans. He emphasized that the Ministry of Health trusts the credibility of the statistical data produced by the ( DoS).

    Mrs. Idris indicated some gaps exist in the demographic statistics, which are bridged by this survey.  DHS will provide considerable data needed by various United Nation organizations in general and the United Nations fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) in particular.

        Mr. Pit pointed out the distinguished cooperation between the (USAID) and the related parties conducting this survey and wished success for all.

       It is worthy to note that this survey is the fourth of its kind after the 1990, 1997 and 2002 surveys. It will provide important data on fertility, mortality, and health care for children and mothers during the pregnancy and birth stages, in addition to other information concerning family planning and evaluation of the health programs in the Kingdom.

     The survey will provide data on violence against woman and other measures such as hight, weight and anemia.

      It is anticipated that field data collection will continue till the end of August 2007, and the preliminary results will be ready next September. Meanwhile, the main results will be ready before May 2008.