DUSHANBE, November 21, 2013, Asia-Plus – On Wednesday November 20, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Susan Elliott congratulated the Government of Tajikistan on conducting the first-ever Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in Tajikistan.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, a nationwide survey funded by USAID, the DHS was implemented by the Statistical Agency under the President of Tajikistan in coordination with the Tajik Ministry of Health.  The DHS collected data on women’s and children’s health, domestic violence, and knowledge about HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.  The survey collected data from more than 6,400 households interviewing over 9,600 women aged 15 to 49.

Ambassador Elliott was joined at yesterday’s announcement of the 2012 DHS results by Ambassador Jonathan Addleton , USAID/CAR Regional Mission Director, Lola Bobohojiyeva, Head of the Department of Health, Family and Women Affairs of the Presidential Administration (TBC), Bahtiya Muhammadiyeva, Director of the Statistical Agency, and Saida Jobirova, the First Deputy Minister of Health (TBC).

Ambassador Elliott stated, “No decisions or plans can be made without data. The USAID-supported Demographic and Health Survey provides decision-makers in the Government of Tajikistan and our international partners with reliable and up-to-date statistics related to the health status of the population.” She further noted, “I encourage the DHS results to be used in evidence-based decision-making, helping the Government of Tajikistan and development partners alike to design the best programs for the populations most in need.”

The Demographic and Health Survey is one of the many assistance projects made possible by the American people. Since 1992, the American people have invested over $1 billion in programs and humanitarian aid to improve the standard of living for the people of Tajikistan through support to Tajikistan''s democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.