The Demographic Health Survey (DHS) is a population survey that provides data for a wide range of monitoring and impact evaluation indicators in the areas of population, health, and nutrition. Long considered the gold star standard in health data collection, analysis and dissemination, the DHS allows for all stakeholders but in particular for the host country to better plan, fund, and manage their own continued progress towards a higher standard of health and resilient health systems.
The 5th iteration of the Liberia DHS is under way with main data collection to take place October 2019 through February 2020. Key findings will be made public in May 2020 and the full report published and made publicly available in August 2020. The Liberia 2019-2020 DHS includes the standard DHS modules with additional full modules on both Adult Mortality (which will include results for Maternal Mortality Ratio), and Domestic Violence, as well as expanded questions for Female Genital Mutilation and child discipline. Biomarkers will include anthropometry, as well as anemia, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing. As a result of strong collaboration and partnership between USAID and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the National Public Health Institute of Liberia and the Ministry of Health, the Liberia 2019-2020 DHS will also include intravenous blood testing to test for the Ebola antibody—a first globally. A seminar to disseminate all the results is planned for September 2020. Likely side events will also be held to discuss various individual health topics and related findings.
The Liberia 2019-2020 DHS budget is primarily being supported by USAID with significant investment from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations, and Irish Aid.
