The 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (2010 MDHS) presents the major findings of a large, nationally representative sample survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health Community Sciences Unit (CHSU). It is the fourth survey of its kind to be conducted in Malawi, encompassing a total of 27,000 households and involving 24,000 female and 7,000 male respondents. The survey, which has expanded in sample size over the years, updates the 1992, 2000, and 2004 survey findings. The 2010 report is the second in the series to include results of HIV testing. In addition to presenting national estimates, the report provides estimates of key indicators for rural and urban areas in Malawi, the three regions, and for the first time, the 27 districts. The 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (2010 MDHS) was implemented by the National Statistical Office (NSO) from June through November 2010, with a nationally representative sample of more than 27,000 households. All eligible women age 15-49 in these households and all eligible men age 15-54 in a subsample of one-third of the households were individually interviewed. The survey is a follow-up to the 1992, 2000, and 2004 MDHS surveys, although it expands the content and provides updated estimates of basic demographic and health indicators covered in these earlier surveys. Similar to the 2004 MDHS survey, the 2010 MDHS includes information on violence against women and HIV testing among women age 15-49 and men age 15-54. Although previous surveys collected data at the national, regional, and selected district levels, the 2010 MDHS is the first MDHS survey to collect data on basic demographic and health indicators at the district level. The primary objectives of the 2010 MDHS project are to provide up-to-date information on fertility levels; nuptiality; sexual activity; fertility preferences; awareness and use of family planning methods; breastfeeding practices; nutritional status of mothers and young children; early childhood mortality; maternal mortality; maternal and child health; malaria; awareness and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections; and HIV prevalence. The 2010 MDHS results demonstrate a decline in current fertility, an increase in use of modern methods of contraception, an improvement in child vaccination rates, and expanded coverage of prior HIV testing.
