The Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey PDHS 2017-18 was the fourth of its kind in Pakistan, following the 1990-91, 2006-07, and 2012-13 PDHS surveys. The primary objective of the 2017-18 PDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. The PDHS provides a comprehensive overview of population, maternal, and child health issues in Pakistan. Specifically, the 2017-18 PDHS collected information on: Key demographic indicators, particularly fertility and under-5 mortality rates, at the national level, for urban and rural areas, and within the country’s eight regions Direct and indirect factors that determine levels and trends of fertility and child mortality Contraceptive knowledge and practice Maternal health and care including antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care Child feeding practices, including breastfeeding, and anthropometric measures to assess the nutritional status of children under age 5 and women age 15-49 Key aspects of family health, including vaccination coverage and prevalence of diseases among infants and children under age 5 Knowledge and attitudes of women and men about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, and potential exposure to risk Women's empowerment and its relationship to reproductive health and family planning Disability level Extent of gender-based violence Migration patterns The information collected through the 2017-18 PDHS is intended to assist policymakers and program managers at the federal and provincial government levels, in the private sector, and at international organisations in evaluating and designing programs and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population. The data also provides information on indicators relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals.
