Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 1998

Abstract

The 1998 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) is the third survey of its kind to be conducted in Kenya, following the 1989 KDHS and 1993 KDHS. Like earlier DHS surveys, the 1998 survey was designed to provide information on demographic trends and indicators of maternal and child health in Kenya. However, in line with the expansion of programmes in health and population, the 1998 survey instruments were more extensive and the treatment of certain topics more exhaustive than in the earlier surveys.

This report is intended to provide policy makers and programme managers with a comprehensive look at levels and trends in key health and demographic parameters. Of particular note, the 1998 KDHS findings provide evidence of a significant decline in fertility rates and an increase in the use of family planning methods since the 1993 KDHS. The KDHS also provides evidence pointing to an increase in infant and under-five mortality during the 1990s, which may in part be associated with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

While comprehensive, the report cannot cover all aspects of concern to the health and population community. We expect that this report will raise important questions and establish the groundwork for further analysis of the KDHS data. NCPD stands firm with its partners in a commitment to make the KDHS data available and accessible to responsible investigators.