he 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (2011 UDHS) was designed as a follow-up to
the 1988/89, 1995, 2000-01, and 2006 Uganda DHS surveys. The main objective of the 2011
UDHS was to obtain current statistical data on the Ugandan population’s demographic
characteristics, family planning efforts, maternal mortality, and infant and child mortality. Another
objective was to collect information on health care services and activities, antenatal, delivery, and postnatal
care, children’s immunisations, and management of childhood diseases. In addition, the survey was
designed to evaluate the nutritional status of mothers and children, to measure the prevalence of anaemia
among women and children, to assess the level of knowledge about HIV and AIDS among men and
women, and to determine the extent of interpersonal violence.
The findings of the 2011 UDHS are critical to measurement of the achievements of family
planning and other health programmes. To better understand and utilise these findings, the results will be
widely disseminated at different planning levels using diverse dissemination techniques to reach the
various segments of society.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics would like to acknowledge the efforts of a number of
organisations and individuals who contributed immensely to the success of the survey. The Ministry of
Health (MOH) chaired the Technical Working Committee, which offered guidance on the implementation
of the survey. The Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and the Makerere University
Department of Biochemistry and Sports Science under the College of Natural Sciences conducted the
Quality Control and the laboratory testing for vitamin A deficiency respectively. ICF International is
greatly appreciated for providing important technical support.
Financial assistance was provided by the government of Uganda, USAID/Uganda, the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health
Organisation (WHO), the UK Government and Irish Aid-the Government of Ireland.
We are grateful for the efforts of officials at national and local government levels who supported
the survey. Finally, we highly appreciate all the hard work of field staff and, most important,
the contributions of survey respondents whose participation was critical to the successful completion of
this survey.