Press Releases

Feb 24, 2006
One in four adults in Lesotho is HIV positive

Calverton, MD. The 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) included population-level HIV testing for the first time. Testing was anonymous and strictly voluntary. According to LDHS data, 24% of adults are HIV-positive. LDHS data point to the unequal distribution of the virus. Women are far more likely to be infected than men (26% and 19%, respectively).

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Feb 21, 2006
New report finds dramatic improvement in Tanzanian child survival rates

DAR ES SALAAM - Significantly more Tanzanian infants are living to see their first birthday than did five years ago, according to the newly released 2004-05 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). The infant mortality rate is now 68 deaths per 1,000 live births, while five years ago the 1999 survey showed an infant mortality rate of 99 deaths per 1,000 live births.

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Feb 21, 2006
Many Tanzanian children not sleeping under insecticide-treated nets

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania. Only 16 percent of children under age five slept under an insecticide-treated net (ITN) the night before their households were interviewed, according to the newly released Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey. Health officials recommend that all children under age 5 and pregnant women sleep under ITNs to prevent malaria, which is the leading cause of death for children and adults in this east African country.

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Feb 21, 2006
Tanzania sees improvement in child health, while risky sexual behavior remains common

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania. The 2004-05 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) released on Wednesday revealed that health indicators for Tanzanian children have improved markedly in the past five years, while family planning and fertility rates are unchanged from the last survey conducted in 1999. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is high, but less than one-third of men and women know how to prevent maternal-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. 

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Jan 05, 2006
An in-depth analysis of HIV prevalence in Ghana

Calverton, MD. This study looks at a sub sample of sexually experienced men and women who were tested for HIV during the 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS). Using bivariate and multivariate analysis, the authors examined the association between HIV prevalence and socio demographic characteristics, HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and sexual behavior.

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