AMMAN -- Work on the nationwide Demographic and Health Survey to update and assess key indicators officially began on Wednesday.
The survey, carried out by the Department of Statistics (DoS) every five years, monitors the demographic and health status of the population, providing baseline information from which the impact of the transformation in healthcare delivery can be measured over time.
It also provides reliable estimates of demographic parameters such as fertility and mortality, family planning, fertility preferences, maternal and child health and nutrition as well as socio-economic characteristics of households.
The results will present policy-makers with the needed guidance to plan, monitor and improve population, health and nutrition programmes in the country.
Fathi Nsour, executive director of the census at DoS, said the latest survey, which was modified to embrace a larger sample than in 2002, will target households at the governorate level and provide broader and more comprehensive data.
"This year's survey has been focused on a larger sample of representation along with new variables that will provide greater insight and data on certain dimensions of these households than before," said Nsour.
"The survey will be conducted on 15,000 families at the governorate level and examine data on health as well as children's development," he added.
The 2007 survey, to be conducted over the next three months, is a critical tool for the country, which has been working to develop and improve health services by ensuring they meet needs from emerging and changing trends.
The survey will examine the latest status of the population's health and well-being, particularly women and children, as well as trends such as fertility, knowledge and use of family planning, maternal healthcare including antenatal, delivery and postnatal care, maternal nutritional status, prenatal, neonatal and childhood mortality.
The demographic aspect will look into various characteristics of the household including each member's age, sex, educational achievement, relationship to the head of household and marital status.
It will also examine socio-economic characteristics of each household, such as source of water, sanitation facilities and the availability of durable goods.
Policy planners use the data to evaluate and improve existing services, better allocate resources and, most importantly, plan appropriate health services based on unmet needs.
Nsour said expanding the base from 8,000 families in 2002 to 15,000 this year and moving to the governorates level will allow for a comparative measure and analysis of indicators to help plan programmes at these levels.
The 2002 survey only provided variables for the country as a whole, urban and rural areas, the three regions -- north central and south -- and the three main governorates of Amman, Irbid and Zarqa.
According to the DoS official, the new survey also includes dimensions covering issues of rising importance in the country such as Early Childhood Development (ECD) and domestic violence.
UNICEF Education and Gender Officer Maha Homsi said this was a valuable addition.
"The survey provides a clear picture of the health situation of the population across the country and especially important data on children's health and wellbeing, such as under-five immunisation and breastfeeding status," Homsi told The Jordan Times.
According to Homsi, the survey took the ECD dimension into account, under the recommendation of the National Council for Family Affairs and UNICEF.
This includes indicators such as children's acquisition of language and cognitive development, to see how it compares with other children on an international level.
Given that the survey will be undertaken at governorate level, Homsi said it would give a picture of the variations that exists within areas and will provide a tool on where to focus health efforts.
The survey will be completed in September, with preliminary results expected the following month.
The final report on the official results will be out early next year.
By Dalya Dajani
© Jordan Times 2007
