The 1998 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) is the first study of its kind to be conducted in South Africa and heralds a new era of reliable and relevant information in South Africa. The SADHS, a nation-wide survey has collected information on key maternal and child health indicators, and in a first for international demographic and health surveys, the South African survey contains data on the health and disease patterns in adults. Plans to conduct the South Africa Demographic and Health Survey go as far back as 1995, when the Department of Health National Health Information Systems of South Africa (NHIS/SA) committee, recognised serious gaps in information required for health service planning and monitoring. Fieldwork was conducted between late January and September 1998, during which time 12,247 households were visited, 17,500 people throughout nine provinces were interviewed and 175 interviewers were trained to interview in 11 languages. The aim of the 1998 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) was to collect data as part of the National Health Information System of South Africa (NHIS/SA). The survey results are intended to assist policymakers and programme managers in evaluating and designing programmes and strategies for improving health services in the country. A variety of demographic and health indicators were collected in order to achieve the following general objectives: (i) To contribute to the information base for health and population development programme management through accurate and timely data on a range of demographic and health indicators. (ii) To provide baseline data for monitoring programmes and future planning. (iii) To build research and research management capacity in large-scale national demographic and health surveys. The primary objective of the SADHS is to provide up-to-date information on: basic demographic rates, particularly fertility and childhood mortality levels, awareness and use of contraceptive methods, breastfeeding practices, maternal and child health, awareness of HIV/AIDS, chronic health conditions among adults, lifestyles that affect the health status of adults, and anthropometric indicators.
