The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), together with its development partners, conducted the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (2019 SLDHS).

 

The SLDHS provides an opportunity to inform policy and provide data for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national health programmes. It is designed to provide up-to-date information on health indicators, including nutritional status of children, early childhood and maternal mortality, maternal and child health, fertility levels, nuptiality, sexual activity, fertility preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, awareness and behaviours regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and prevalence of HIV.

 

The SLDHS is conducted every five years in Sierra Leone. The first survey was conducted in 2008 and the second in 2013. Although the next one was planned for 2018, actual data collection took place in early 2019; hence, the survey is appropriately named the 2019 SLDHS.

 

This report presents the final results of survey. Key findings include a decline in fertility rates and improvement in nutrition indicators, such as stunting, wasting and underweight. Details of maternal and child health care indicators also suggest improvement.