Official launch of the 4th Demographic and Health Survey (EDST-IV)

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Extract from the article: The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, Universal Health Coverage and Insurance, Dr Kokou Wotobé, officially launched Togo’s Fourth Demographic and Health Survey (EDST-IV) in the presence of representatives from national ...

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The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, Universal Health Coverage and Insurance, Dr Kokou Wotobé, officially launched Togo’s Fourth Demographic and Health Survey (EDST-IV). in the presence of representatives from national institutions, technical and financial partners, and stakeholders from the statistical system, on Friday 13 March 2026 in Lomé. This major statistical exercise, which will begin on 14 March,  aims to produce up-to-date data on the health, demographics and living conditions of the Togolese population in order to better guide public policy.

It is important to have reliable and recent data in a context where demographic and health dynamics are changing rapidly. “Data changes over time. It is essential for the government to monitor the progress made, but also to identify the challenges that remain in order to effectively guide public policy,” emphasised Dr Kokou Wotobé.

Essential data for national planning

The new survey will provide up-to-date indicators across several key areas, including fertility, mortality, nutrition, family planning, maternal and child health, and HIV/AIDS. This information will also be used to assess the country’s progress in implementing the Government’s 2025 Roadmap and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results of the EDST-IV will thus support health policy planning at both national and local levels.

A representative national sample

The survey will be conducted across 385 clusters, comprising approximately 10,000 ordinary households spread across the entire country. It will cover Togo’s five regions (Maritime, Plateaux, Central, Kara and Savanes) as well as the Autonomous District of Greater Lomé.

“In the selected households, enumerators will collect information from women and men aged 15 to 64, as well as on children under five. Children aged 6 to 59 months will also undergo malaria screening tests,” said Fankeba Souradji, Technical Director of EDST-IV.

A wide range of data collection

“In practical terms, the survey teams will collect various types of information from households, including details of the households and their members, anthropometric measurements (weight and height) to assess nutritional status, testing for iodine in the table salt used in households, analysis of drinking water quality, including the detection of bacteria indicative of faecal contamination, and blood samples to measure the prevalence of malaria in children and that of HIV and hepatitis B in adult volunteers,” explained Secretary-General Dr Kokou Wotobé.

Data collectors will be easily identifiable thanks to a T-shirt bearing the EDST-IV logo and an official badge.

Data protected by law

The authorities were also keen to reassure the public regarding the confidentiality of the information collected. Under Togolese Statistics Act No. 2011-014 of 3 June 2011, individual data collected during statistical surveys are strictly protected and may not be disclosed.

A strategic investment

Conducting this national survey represents a significant investment for the government, with support from several technical and financial partners, including the World Health Organisation, the World Bank and the Global Fund.

The first preliminary results are expected to be available a few months after data collection has concluded, whilst the full report will be published at a later date.

A call for public participation

The authorities have urged the public to welcome the survey teams and to answer the questions honestly.

“Every household that takes part in this survey contributes directly to improving the country’s health and development policies,” Dr Wotobé emphasised.

With this fourth edition of the Demographic and Health Survey, Togo aims to strengthen its data collection system in order to better understand the country’s health realities and guide decisions in favour of the population’s well-being.

Raymond DZAKPATA