The National Population Commission (NPC) has shared that around 1845 households in Benue State are part of the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).Â
Patricia Kupchi, the Federal Commissioner NPC, mentioned this during the survey’s official launch in Makurdi.
The survey will involve distributing questionnaires to women aged 15 to 49 and interviewing men aged 15 to 59 in every household.
Kupchi assured that the NPC is aware of security concerns and has implemented sufficient measures to ensure the safety of its personnel during the survey.
Christopher Nege, the State Director NPC, represented Kupchi and explained that four out of Benue State’s 23 Local Government Areas were excluded from the ongoing NDHS due to the nature of the representative sample survey. The excluded LGAs are Tarka, Gwer-west, Ohimini, and Agatu.
Expressing confidence in the support received, Kupchi stated, “With your continued support and dedication, we will navigate the complexities of data collection and analysis, emerging with insights that will shape policies, drive progress, and improve lives.”
The objectives of the 2023-24 NDHS include gathering high-quality data on vital indicators like fertility rates, maternal and child health, contraceptive use, childhood mortality, gender-related issues, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Kupchi highlighted the importance of providing data to support maternal and child health and family planning programs, ensuring timely results, widespread data dissemination, and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for data collection and analysis.
She emphasized that these objectives go beyond words on paper, representing the path to a healthier, more prosperous Nigeria.
This path aims to address citizens’ unique needs, promote gender equality, improve health outcomes, and reduce the burden of disease.
The comprehensive objectives also focus on strengthening national capacities by using collected data to identify demographic and health-related social needs, develop equitable growth strategies, address social poverty, and align with national development strategies.
