The 2010 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) is designed to provide data for monitoring the population and health situation in Rwanda. The 2010 RDHS is the fifth Demographic and Health Survey to be conducted in Rwanda. The objective of the survey is to provide up-to-date information on fertility, family planning, childhood mortality, nutrition, maternal and child health, domestic violence, malaria, maternal mortality, awareness and behavior regarding HIV/AIDS, HIV prevalence, malaria prevalence, and anemia prevalence. A nationally representative sample of 13,671 women, age 15–49 from 12,540 surveyed households, and 6,329 men, age 15–59 from half of these households, were interviewed. This represents a response rate of 99 percent for women and 99 percent for men. The sample provides estimates at the national and provincial levels. The main objectives of the 2010 RDHS were to: Collect data at the national level to facilitate calculation of essential demographic rates, especially rates for fertility and infant and child mortality, and to analyze the direct and indirect factors that determine levels and trends in fertility and child mortality Measure the levels of knowledge of contraceptive practices among women Collect data on family health, including immunization practices; prevalence and treatment of diarrhea, acute upper respiratory infections, fever and/or convulsions among children under age 5; antenatal visits; and assistance at delivery Collect data on the prevention and treatment of malaria, in particular the possession and use of bed nets among children under 5 and among women and pregnant women Collect data on nutritional practices of children, including breastfeeding Collect data on the knowledge and attitudes of men and women concerning sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and evaluate recent behavioral changes with regard to condom use Collect data for the estimation of adult mortality and maternal mortality at the national level Take anthropometric measurements in half of surveyed households in order to evaluate the nutritional status of children, men, and women Conduct confidential testing for malaria parasitemia using Rapid Diagnostic Testing in half of the surveyed households and anonymous blood smear testing at the National Reference Laboratory Collect dried blood spots (from finger pricks) for anonymous HIV testing at the National Reference Laboratory in half of surveyed households Measure hemoglobin level (by finger prick) for anemia of surveyed respondents in half of surveyed households.
