The primary objective of the 2018 ZDHS was to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. Specifically, the ZDHS collected information on:
- Fertility levels and preferences; contraceptive use; maternal and child health; infant, child, and neonatal mortality levels; maternal mortality; and gender, nutrition, and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and other health issues relevant to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Ownership and use of mosquito nets as part of the national malaria eradication programmes
- Health-related matters such as breastfeeding, maternal and childcare (antenatal, delivery, and postnatal), children’s immunisations, and childhood diseases
- Anaemia prevalence among women age 15-49 and children age 6-59 months
- Nutritional status of children under age 5 (via weight and height measurements)
- HIV prevalence among men age 15-59 and women age 15-49 and behavioural risk factors related to HIV
- Assessment of situation regarding violence against women