The 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (2019 SLDHS) is a nationwide survey with a nationally representative sample of approximately 13,872 selected households. All women age 15-49 who are usual household members or who spent the night before the survey in the selected households were eligible for individual interviews.
The primary objective of the 2019 SLDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. Specifically, the survey collected information on fertility, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of women and children, maternal and child health, adult and childhood mortality, women’s empowerment, domestic violence, female genital cutting, prevalence and awareness and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other health-related issues such as smoking.
The information collected through the 2019 SLDHS is intended to assist policymakers and programme managers in evaluating and designing programmes and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population.