By: Evans Attah Akangla| ignewss| Cape Coast
The Director of Surveys and Census, Mrs. Abena Asamoabia Osei Akoto, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing the data and survey indicators derived from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service in the formulation of health policies by the Ministry of Health.
Mrs. Osei Akoto highlighted that the survey contains essential indicators crucial to the health sector, informing policy formulation at the national, continental (Agenda 2063), and global levels (Sustainable Development Goal 3).
She urged the Ministry of Health, as the primary policy-making body, to analyze the data, identify areas of concern, and address challenges comprehensively to arrive at effective solutions or propose alternative measures.
The Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2022 (GDHS) primarily focuses on monitoring population and health situations in Ghana.
As the 7th edition since 1988, its objectives include providing reliable estimates of fertility levels and preferences, contraceptive use, antenatal and delivery care, maternal and child health, childhood mortality, childhood immunization, breastfeeding and young child feeding practices.
Additionally, it examines violence against women, nutritional status of adults and children, awareness regarding HIV/AIDS, prevalence, treatment, and prevention of malaria, and other relevant indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals.
The survey encompassed 15,014 women aged 15-49 in 17,933 households and 7,044 men aged 15-59 in selected households, representing 98% of women and 97% of men across all 16 regions in the country.
Mrs. Osei Akoto made this call during a dissemination workshop on the Demographic and Health Survey held at Pempasie Hotel in Cape Coast on March 5, 2024.
Representatives from NGOs in Health, Regional Health Directors, Regional Statisticians, and the Regional Director of Statistical Services from the coordinating council of four regions formed the Southern Zone, encompassing the Central, Western, Greater Accra, and Volta regions, designated as Zone 1 among the five zones in the country.
She expressed confidence in the positive impact of previous data from the Ghana Statistical Service, noting improvements in various indicators. For instance, she highlighted the decline in the use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and emphasized the need to investigate reasons behind the decrease in their purchase and usage.