The survey, launched today at Sheraton by the Ministry of Health Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, sheds light on vital aspects of the nation’s health and demographic landscape.
Dr. Aceng who launched the report said that this time round the Ministry had good results from the survey compared to the previous years.
“We will walk with our heads high because after a very difficult period of time of Covid-19 many of you will remember that Uganda an additional of Ebola and so have this Statistics after all these challenges with our limited resources I congratulate all of you,” said Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng.
Hon. Dr. Aceng also said the Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that Ugandans have access to good and quality health services, however, this is dependent on the quality of health data to support better policy formulation, planning and evidence based decision making.
“Planning without reliable health data can only be termed as a health suicide, that is why the UDHS indicators that we have received today is one of the key ingredients in the realization of a better health systems. A health system where patients are treated with dignity, mothers can give birth in a health facility and children are immunized in record time.,” said – Hon Dr. Aceng.
“The sustainable development goal (sdg3) talks about good health and wellbeing, while six nation’s clean water and sanitation we must confess that all these are critical aspects of human development processes that require clean data . We can only appreciate such transformation agenda by making good use of quality data that is produced using a well coordinated approach for purposes of measuring progress and monitoring related program implemention.,” said Chris.N.Mukiza, the executive director of UBOS.
Dr. Albert Byamugisha the Chairperson Board Uganda Bureau Of Statistics said that the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey is among those important surveys that UBOS conducts on a regular basis after every five (5) years.
“I wish to inform you that this survey provides a comprehensive health and demographic indicators mainly on women and children. Such findings support the implementation and strengthens the monitoring role of ensuring the realization of both national and international health development frameworks.,” said Dr. Albert Byamugisha
He added; “…the findings enhance alignment of the key health programmes and reshapes health demands that require immediate interventions especially in relation to the needs of the different category of the population. Specifically, the women and children.”
The main objective of the 2022 Uganda Demographic Health Survey is to provide current estimates on marriage, family planning, sexual activity, maternal and child health, domestic violence, childhood and Maternal mortality, nutrition, malaria, child labor, HIV/AIDS etc.
According to the survey, Ugandan women are, on average, giving birth to 5.2 children, highlighting the dynamic nature of the population. This statistic carries implications for healthcare, education, and economic planning.
However, the survey also unveiled distressing figures. The infant mortality rate currently stands at 36 deaths per 1,000 live births, indicating a pressing need for improved maternal and child healthcare services. The under-5 mortality rate is reported to be 52 deaths per 1,000 live births, underscoring the importance of ongoing efforts in child welfare.
The report notes that 91% of births were attended by skilled healthcare professionals in health facilities, indicating an increase in access to quality maternal care whereby 54% of children received all basic vaccinations, demonstrating progress in immunization campaigns.
Yet, amidst these gains, 26% of children under 5 experienced stunted growth. This highlights the urgency for comprehensive nutritional interventions to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s youngest citizens.
The report shows the maternal mortality ratio for the seven years period before the survey is 189 deaths per 100,000 births and 185 deaths per 100, 000 live births for pregnancy related mortality These maternal mortality ratio excludes deaths that were due to accident or violence”The Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that Ugandans have access to good and quality health services, however, this is dependent on the quality of health data to support better policy formulation, planning and evidence based decision making.,” said Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng
The Uganda Demographic Health Survey series have been conducted since 1988 until now across the whole country regions and in 2022,15 sub regions estimated the key indicators for the country as a whole for urban and rural areas.
