The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) conducted the 2009 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS) to collect population-based data to inform the Health Sector Reform Programme (2000-2009), evaluate the strides made since the first LDHS was conducted in 2004, set a baseline for new programmes, and provide information for policy and strategic planning. The 2009 LDHS was conducted using a representative sample of women and men of reproductive age. The objectives were to: Provide national data on key demographic indicators, particularly fertility and child and adult mortality rates Analyze the direct and indirect factors that determine the level of and trends in fertility Measure the level of contraceptive knowledge and practice of women and men by method, urban-rural residence, and region Provide data on family health, including immunization coverage among children, prevalence and treatment of diarrhoea and other diseases among children under age 5, maternity care indicators including antenatal visits, and assistance at delivery Provide data on child feeding practices, including breastfeeding, the nutritional status of women and children, and the prevalence of anaemia among children under age 5, women age 15-49, and men age 15-59 Provide data on knowledge and attitudes of women and men about sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, and evaluate patterns of recent behaviour regarding condom use Provide information on the prevalence of HIV among women age 15-49 and men age 15-59 Provide biomarker data on blood pressure among women age 15-49 and men age 15-59
