NPC BEGINS TRAINING OF INTERVIEWERS FOR 2023 NDHS

The National Population Commission in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health has started training over 350 field functionaries for the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

NPC Chairman, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra stated this while declaring open the Training of Interviewers for the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

Hon. Kwarra disclosed that the NDHS is a national sample survey that provides up-to-date high-quality data on demographic and health indicators for policy formulation and planning of population, health and nutrition programmes.

He said that it is conducted every 5 years with the 2023 NDHS being the 8th edition of the survey in Nigeria.

Kwarra described NDHS as a beacon of reliable, comprehensive, and actionable data, providing policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders with the insights necessary to make informed decisions.

“Over the years, the NDHS has stood as a beacon of reliable, comprehensive, and actionable data, providing policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders with the insights necessary to make informed decisions. Every cycle of the NDHS brings with it its own set of challenges, but also opportunities to redefine the narrative for health and social demographics in Nigeria.

Hon. Kwarra urged the participants “to be more than just present, be attentive to every detail, be inquisitive about the processes and aims, and be an active participant in discussions, exercises, and feedback sessions. Your intellectual curiosity and proactive involvement can make a positive difference in the successful execution of this very important phase of the 2023 NDHS project. Let’s embark on this journey together, each one of us playing a vital role in shaping a survey that has the potential to influence policy and improve lives.”

As key players in this project, the huge responsibility that lies on your shoulders cannot be overemphasized and it is my belief that the experiences you have garnered from the census preparatory activities will be useful in the field. The success of the NDHS hinges on the quality, authenticity, and precision of the information you gather.

According to him, “Every household you visit, every individual you speak to, will be entrusting you with their data and it should be your solemn duty to ensure that these data are relayed with the utmost integrity and clarity.

“Your role as interviewer is pivotal, and I have every confidence that you will uphold the values and standards the NDHS is renowned for.

Let me reiterate that the Commission attaches a lot of importance to the outcome of the 2023 NDHS in terms of complimenting the forthcoming Population and Housing Census in the provision of data for development. Though the NDHS coverage is low, being a survey but it will generate more detailed data that will be useful for planning purposes, especially in fertility, family planning, reproductive health etc. This detailed information will help the Commission in consolidating the achievements of the next census. The stakes are high; the information we gather and the insights we develop have the capability to influence health and social policies, not just for the immediate future, but for a long time to come. It’s not simply about numbers and data; it’s about human lives, about the well-being of our communities, and the future trajectory of our nation.”

NPC Chairman also commended partners and donors such as the Federal Ministry of Health, National Bureau of Statistics, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and ICF International, Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, The Global Fund etc whose continued commitment, expertise and support have been invaluable in making the NDHS a credible data-generating survey.

While welcoming the NPC chairman and participants, the Federal Commissioner representing Nasarawa state in the Commission, His Excellency Silas Agara noted the importance of NDHS in providing reliable data for policy formulation and planning of health programmes in the country.

He urged the participants to use the opportunity of the programme to visit places of interest and make new friends in the solid mineral state.

NPC Director Planning and Research Department and Survey Team Lead, Hajia Bintu Ibrahim Abba while giving the overview of the NDHS stated that the 2023 NDHS scope covers fertility rates, mortality rates (infant and child), adult and maternal mortality, child health and nutrition, maternal health, contraceptive knowledge and use, HIV/AIDS and STI (knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors), domestic violence, female genital mutilation, fistula, disability, newborn care, Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).

She said that information will be canvassed from a total of 42,000 households sample size in the selected 1,400 clusters across 36 States of Nigeria and the FCT in the 2023 NDHS.

Ishaku Maigida, the Director, Field Services and Methodology, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said that the data to be generated and produced would help to bridge the gap in the availability of data on nutrition, particularly among children and women within the reproductive age.

He assured that NBS would continually collaborate with the Commission and any other agency working toward data generation to ensure reliable data.

Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Federal Ministry of Health, said that the NDHS is an important source of information for the health sector, setting a baseline for the government’s performance on health.

He said “the survey is being conducted by Nigerians and owned by Nigeria because the NPC is conducting it and the Ministry of Health is providing technical support.

“When the result comes out, it will be a Nigerian result, so we have to make it an accurate one such that external persons will agree that we have conducted a good survey.

“Therefore, I want you to know that this is a national assignment and our national reputation is also at stake and this is one survey that you will be proud of.

“Please take this training seriously because it’s going to be important when you go to the field; do not be tempted to cook or forge results because decisions are made based on those results and when that happens, you may be the one affected.”

Dr. Joy Ufere, the World Health Organization’s Technical Adviser on Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health/Healthy Aging, said that the survey is important as the world is almost six years toward the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to her, Nigeria is a signatory to the SDGs and the survey will tell if the nation is getting closer to achieving the goals or not.

She added that “this survey will also tell us the number of Nigerians reached to ensure that we provide Universal Health Coverage.

Meanwhile, the 2023 NDHS is expected to produce data on infant and child mortality, health of women and maternal mortality.

It will be carried out by collecting data from 42,000 households in 1400 clusters within and across the 774 local government areas of the country.

It will involve collecting data from women of reproductive age from 15 to 49 years and men 15 to 69 years.

Also, the height and weight of children under the age of five years will be determined, as well as the extent of wasting and stunting in children so that policy and programmes will be tailored toward addressing identified health issues.