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Indicator Definitions

Indicator Type Indicator Definition Status ID
DemographicAverage household sizeAverage number of people living in each household where household is defined as a person, or a group of persons, who occupy a common dwelling (or part of it) for at least four days a week and who provide themselves jointly with food and other essentials for living. In other words, they live together as a unit. People who occupy the same dwelling, but who do not share food or other essentials, are enumerated as separate households. SAHR6
DemographicCrude death rate (deaths per 1000 population)Number of deaths in a year per 1 000 population.SAHR4
DemographicTotal fertility rateThe average number of children that a woman gives birth to in her lifetime, assuming that the prevailing rates remain unchanged. The TFR is one of the most useful indicators of fertility because it gives the best picture of how many children women are currently having. SAHR5
PopulationAnnual population growth rateThe rate at which the population is increasing or decreasing in a given year expressed as a percentage of the base population size. It takes into consideration all the components of population growth, namely births, deaths and migration.SAHR18
PopulationPopulationTotal number of people. Projected population figures are based on various projection models attempting to quantify the expected effects of HIV and AIDS on population growth.SAHR1
PopulationPopulation % by provinceProportion of South African population in each province (calculated from population per province and population for whole of South Africa).SAHR3
PopulationPopulation % by ethnic groupProportion of South African population in each ethnic group (calculated from population per ethnic group and population for whole of South Africa).SAHR80
PopulationPopulation % compositionPercentage of the population by various categories - e.g. Percentage of South African population under age of 15 years Percentage of South African population over age of 60 years Percentage of South African population female.SAHR173
PopulationPublic sector dependent populationThis is an adjustment of the total population to the number assumed to be dependent on services in the public health sector based on medical scheme (health insurance) coverage. It is calculated by subtracting the number of people with medical scheme cover (determined from medical scheme membership reports, or surveys indicating percentage of population on medical schemes) from the total population.SAHR14
DistributionArea (square km)Land area covered by geographic entity.SAHR81
DistributionArea as a % of total area of South AfricaArea of province divided by total area of country (South Africa).SAHR19
DistributionPopulation density (people per km2)Number of people per square kilometre.SAHR20
DistributionRural (non-urban) percentageProportion of population living in a non-urban environment. Non-urban, or rural areas include commercial farms, small settlements, rural villages and other areas which are further away from towns and cities. The definition includes semi-urban areas which are not part of a legally proclaimed urban area, but adjoin it.SAHR11
DistributionUrban percentageProportion of population living in urban environment. An urban area is one which has been legally proclaimed as being urban e.g. towns, cities and metropolitan areas.SAHR10
Socio-EconomicGDP per capita (PPP US$)Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the total output of goods and services for final use produced by an economy, by both residents and non-residents, regardless of the allocation to domestic and foreign claims. It does not include deductions for depreciation of physical capital or depletion and degradation of natural resources.

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) - A rate of exchange that accounts for price differences across countries allowing international comparisons of real output and incomes. At the PPP US$ rate, PPP US$1 has the same purchasing power in the domestic economy as $1 has in the United States.

SAHR110
Socio-EconomicHuman development indexThe HDI is a summary measure of human development. It measures the average achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human development:
* A long and healthy life, as measured by life expectancy at birth
* Knowledge, as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weight) and the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (with one-third weight)
* A decent standard of living, as measured by GDP per capita (PPP US$).

Caution: Calculation of HDI is an evolving methodology, and comparisons should not be made between years (when methods might have varied) but can be made between countries, as issued by the same source. A high value for the HDI represents better human development.

SAHR83
Socio-EconomicHuman development index rankRank from 1 to end given to each country according to value of HDI. Value of 1 represents the best (highest) human development index.SAHR138
Socio-EconomicPoverty prevalenceProportion of people/households living in poverty. Depending on the poverty line and the methodology used there are various estimates of the extent of poverty, therefore caution should be observed in comparing estimates from different sources, and comparative reliability can be assessed from the rank order correlation between different sets of estimates. See also http://www.treasury.gov.za/povertyline/ for addidional work being done on development of a poverty index.SAHR146
EducationEducation level: percentage of population 20 years and older with no schoolingPercentage of people in a given age group who have received a particular level of education. Data are presented for the percentage of population aged 20 years and above with no schooling.SAHR21
EmploymentAge dependency ratioThe ratio of the combined child population (0-14 years) and the aged population (65 years and over) - persons in the dependent ages - to every 100 people of the intermediate age population (15-65 years) - economically active ages. Where more detailed data are lacking, the age-dependency ratio is often used as an indicator of the economic burden the productive portion of a population must carry - even though some persons defined as dependent are producers and some persons in the productive ages are economically dependent.SAHR23
EmploymentUnemployment rate (official definition)The official definition of the unemployed is that they are those people within the economically active population (aged 15-65) who
(a) did not have a job or business during the 7 days prior to the interview,
(b) want to work and are available to work within two weeks of the interview, and
(c) have taken active steps to look for work or to start some form of self-employment in the 4 weeks prior to the interview.

Note that the census produces lower estimates of labour force participation because there are less prompts to identify employed people, and the Labour Force Survey provides the official labour market statistics.

SAHR25
Household FacilitiesPercentage of households by type of housingPercentage of households that are categorised as formal, informal, traditional or other.SAHR177
Household FacilitiesPercentage of households using electricity for cookingPercentage of households using electricity as their main energy source for cooking.SAHR29
Household FacilitiesPercentage of households with access to piped waterIncludes households with piped water in dwelling, piped water inside yard or piped water on a community stand (< 200m away or further).MDG (I30)174
Household FacilitiesPercentage of households with no toiletPercentage of households that have no toilet of any kind.MDG (I31)28
Household FacilitiesPercentage of households with refuse removalPercentage of households that have refuse removal by the local authority at least once a week.SAHR176
Household FacilitiesPercentage of households with telephone (telephone in dwelling or cell phone)Percentage of households with a telephone in the dwelling or a cellular telephone.SAHR30
Household FacilitiesProportion of people with access to improved sanitationPercentage of the population using improved sanitation facilities (including flush to piped sewer system, flush to septic tank, flush/pour flush to pit, flush/pour flush to elsewhere). MDG I31261
Household FacilitiesProportion of population with sustainable access to an improved water source'Improved' water supply technologies are: household connection, public standpipe, borehole, protected dug well, protected spring, rainwater collection. 'Not improved' are: unprotected well, unprotected spring, vendor-provided water, bottled water (based on concerns about the quantity of supplied water, not concerns over the water quality), tanker truckprovided water. It is assumed that if the user has access to an 'improved source' then such source would be likely to provide 20 litres per capita per day at a distance no longer than 1 000 metres. (MDG Indicator 30).MDG I30250
MortalityAdult mortality (45q15 - probability of dying between 15-64 years of age)The probability of dying between the ages of 15 and 60 years of age (percentage of 15 year olds who die before 60th birthday).SAHR178
MortalityLife expectancy at birthThe average number of additional years a person could expect to live if current mortality trends were to continue for the rest of that person's life. (Most commonly cited as life expectancy at birth.)SAHR82
Child mortality and relatedChild mortality (deaths between 1-4 years per 1 000 live births)The number of children aged 12 months to 5 years (i.e. to the end of the 4th year) who die in a year, per 1 000 live births.SAHR208
Child mortality and relatedInfant mortality rate (deaths under 1 year per 1 000 live births)The number of children less than one year old who die in a year, per 1 000 live births during that year.MDG I147
Child mortality and relatedLow birth weight rate (% live births <2500g)Percentage of live births under 2 500g.SAHR153
Child mortality and relatedNeonatal death rate (NNDR) (deaths <28 days old per 1 000 live births)Number of deaths within the first 28 days of life, in a year, per 1 000 live births during that year. Also called Neonatal Mortality Rate (NNMR). DoH Objective (HGOI): Reduce the neonatal mortality rate from 20% to 14% by 2005. SAHR152
Child mortality and relatedPerinatal care index (perinatal MR / LBWR)Perinatal mortality rate divided by the Low birth weight rate.SAHR154
Child mortality and relatedPerinatal mortality rate (deaths <8 days old per 1 000 total births)The number of perinatal deaths per 1 000 births. The perinatal period starts as the beginning of foetal viability (28 weeks gestation or 1 000g) and ends at the end of the 7th day after delivery. Perinatal deaths are the sum of stillbirths plus early neonatal deaths. These are divided by total births (live births plus stillbirths). Note that the current WHO definition of PNMR is different from the definition used in South Africa, being the number of deaths from 24 weeks gestation/500g to 28 days neonatal life. As from the Saving Babies 2003-2005 report, reporting has been brought into line with the international standard of reporting according to all births =>500g. The PNMR is the most sensitive indicator of obstetric care. For developed countries the rate for babies over 1 000g is usually less than 6/1000 births, whereas for developing countries PNMR ranges from 30-200.SAHR75
Child mortality and relatedPost-neonatal mortality rate (deaths 28-365 days age per 1 000 live births)Number of deaths occurring between 28 and 365 days after birth per 1 000 live births in the same period.SAHR207
Child mortality and relatedStillbirth rate (per 1 000 total births)Number of stillbirths per 1 000 total births.SAHR158
Child mortality and relatedUnder 5 mortality rate (deaths under 5 years per 1 000 live births)The number of children under 5 years who die in a year, per 1 000 live births during the year. It is a combination of the infant mortality rate, plus the age 1-4 mortality rate.MDG I1331
DisabilityCataract surgery rate (surgeries per million uninsured population)Number of cataract surgeries done per year per 1 million public sector dependent population. Numerator: Number of cataract surgeries done per year x 1 million Denominator: public sector dependent population Note: This indicator is often given per 1 000 population instead of per million as defined in the HGOI. Objective: Increase cataract surgery rate to 1 per 1 000 by 2005 (or 1 000 per million)SAHR155
DisabilityPrevalence of disability (%)Percentage of people reporting moderate to severe disability in a survey where disability is defined as a limitation in one or more activities of daily living (seeing, hearing, communication, moving, getting around, daily life activities, learning, intellectual and emotional). In the Community Survey 2007 and Census 2001, disability is defined as a physical or mental handicap which has lasted for six months or more, or is expected to last at least six months, which prevents the person from carrying out daily activities independently, or from participating fully in educational, economic or social activities. The definition of disability used in Census 2001 is not comparable with that used in Census 1996.SAHR48
DisabilityPrevalence of hearing disability (%)In the census questionnaire, respondents were asked to indicate whether or not there were any people with serious visual, hearing, physical or mental disabilities in the household. The seriousness of the disability was not clearly defined. Rather, the respondent’s perceptions of seriousness were relied on. SAHR52
DisabilityPrevalence of mental illness (%)Percentage of population with some self-reported mental illness or disability. In the census questionnaire, respondents were asked to indicate whether or not there were any people with serious visual, hearing, physical or mental disabilities in the household. The seriousness of the disability was not clearly defined. Rather, the respondent’s perceptions of seriousness were relied on. SAHR12
DisabilityPrevalence of physical disability (%)In the census questionnaire, respondents were asked to indicate whether or not there were any people with serious visual, hearing, physical or mental disabilities in the household. The seriousness of the disability was not clearly defined. Rather, the respondent’s perceptions of seriousness were relied on. SAHR51
DisabilityPrevalence of sight disability (%)In the census questionnaire, respondents were asked to indicate whether or not there were any people with serious visual, hearing, physical or mental disabilities in the household. The seriousness of the disability was not clearly defined. Rather, the respondent’s perceptions of seriousness were relied on. SAHR50
Infectious DiseaseCase fatality rate: choleraNumber of deaths divided by number of cases expressed as a percentage.SAHR129
Infectious DiseaseCase fatality rate: measlesNumber of deaths divided by number of cases expressed as a percentage.SAHR126
Infectious DiseaseCase fatality rate: rabiesNumber of deaths divided by number of cases expressed as a percentage.SAHR127
Infectious DiseaseCase fatality rate: tetanusNumber of deaths divided by number of cases expressed as a percentage.SAHR128
Infectious DiseaseReported cases of choleraThe number of cases of cholera reported to the Department of Health. Note: Since cholera transmission in South Africa is seasonal, occurring primarily in summer, data may be reported by season rather than by calendar year. In this case data labelled 2001/02 season would be data for August 2001 to July 2002. SAHR179
Infectious DiseaseReported cases of cholera (per 100 000)The number of cases of cholera reported to the Department of Health per 100 000 population (for the relevant year). Also known as incidence of cholera or 'Attack rate'. SAHR39
Infectious DiseaseReported cases of measlesNumber of cases of measles reported to the National Department of Health per year.SAHR210
Infectious DiseaseReported cases of measles (per 100 000)Number of cases of measles reported to the National Department of Health per year per 100 000 population.SAHR36
Infectious DiseaseReported cases of rabies (per 100 000)SAHR130
Infectious DiseaseReported cases of tetanus (per 100 000)SAHR37
Infectious DiseaseReported deaths from choleraThe number of deaths from cholera reported to the Department of Health. Note: Since cholera transmission in South Africa is seasonal, occurring primarily in summer, data may be reported by season rather than by calendar year. In this case data labelled 2001/02 season would be data for August 2001 to July 2002. SAHR180
Infectious DiseaseSyphilis prevalence rate (%) (antenatal)Percentage of women surveyed testing positive for syphilis.SAHR33
Tuberculosis (TB)DOTS population coverage (%)Percentage of population falling within administrative areas where the DOTS TB control strategy is used.SAHR160
Tuberculosis (TB)Prevalence (%) of multidrug resistance among new TB casesEstimated percentage of new cases of TB which are multidrug resistant.SAHR242
Tuberculosis (TB)Tuberculosis death rate per 100 000Number of deaths due to tuberculosis (all types) reported per 100 000 population (for the year). Note that the estimates calculated from the StatsSA cause of death data are not corrected for underreporting or poor coding, and are thus an underestimate of mortality due to TB.MDG I23251
Tuberculosis (TB)Tuberculosis prevalence rate per 100 000 populationNumber of people with TB (all types) per 100 000 population. (MDG indicator 23)MDG I23260
Tuberculosis (TB)Tuberculosis, DOTS detection rate (%)Percentage of TB cases detected under DOTS.MDG I24252
Tuberculosis (TB)Tuberculosis, DOTS treatment success, (%)Percentage of TB cases cured under DOTS.MDG I24253
Case findingBacteriological coverage rateThe bacteriological coverage rate reflects the percentage of cases of PTB for which sputum microscopy results were available. As such, it reflects both the availability of laboratory services and compliance with the national TB guidelines which stress the use of sputum microscopy in the diagnosis of PTB. SAHR164
Case findingIncidence of TB (all types) (per 100 000)Number of cases of tuberculosis (all types) reported to the Department of Health per 100 000 population (for the year). Note that reporting rates in some areas are far from complete and this may influence the values quite significantly.MDG (I23)16
Case findingIncidence of TB (PTB new Sm+) (per 100 000)Number of cases of tuberculosis (pulmonary TB, new smear positive cases) reported to the Department of Health per 100 000 population (for the year). Note that reporting rates in some areas are far from complete and this may influence the values quite significantly.SAHR163
Case findingProportion of extra-pulmonary TBNumber of extra-pulmonary TB cases divided by total number of TB cases. HIV-infected individuals are more likely to suffer from extra-pulmonary TB. The rising proportion of extra-pulmonary TB reflects the effect of the HIV epidemic on patterns of TB infection.SAHR220
Case findingReported cases of TB (all types)Number of cases of tuberculosis (all types) reported to the DoH for the year.SAHR161
Case findingReported cases of TB (new Sm+)Number of cases of tuberculosis (new smear positive) reported to the DoH for the year.SAHR218
Case findingReported cases of TB (PTB)Number of cases of tuberculosis (Pulmonary TB) reported to the DoH for the year.SAHR162
Case findingSmear positivity (percentage of new PTB cases which are Sm+)Number of new smear positive PTB cases divided by number of new PTB cases.SAHR165
Case holdingCure rate (new Sm+ cases)Percentage of patients who are proven to be cured using smear microscopy at the end of treatment. The cure rate for new smear positive patients is regarded as the key indicator in high-burden countries. South Africa is working towards achieving the accepted WHO target of an 85% cure rate for new smear positive cases.MDG (I24)123
Case holdingInterruption (defaulter) rate (new Sm+ cases)Percentage of patients who do not complete their course of treatment (of new smear positive patients). Also called percentage of patients who defaulted treatment.SAHR167
Case holdingRetreatment ratioNumber of Sm+ retreatment cases divided by the number of Sm+ cases (new + retreatment) expressed as a percentage. High interruption rates contribute to high retreatment ratios.SAHR219
Case holdingSmear conversion rate (new Sm+ cases)Percentage of new smear positive PTB cases who are smear negative after two months of anti-TB treatment and are therefore no longer infectious. Numerator: Number of new PTB cases who were Sm+ before starting treatment but show a Sm- after 2 months treatment. Denominator: Total number of new Sm+ cases registered during specified time.SAHR254
Case holdingSuccessful completion rate (new Sm+)Percentage of patients who are cured plus those who complete treatment but without laboratory proof of cure, of new smear positive patients)SAHR166
MalariaAccess to malaria treatment within 24 hoursPercentage of those suffering with malaria with access to appropriate treatment within 24 hours of onset of symptoms Abuja target: 60%.MDG I22168
MalariaCase fatality rate: malariaNumber of deaths divided by number of cases expressed as a percentage. The national target is to maintain a CFR below 0.5%.MDG I21124
MalariaReported cases of malariaThe number of cases of malaria reported to the Department of Health. Note: Since malaria transmission in South Africa is seasonal, occurring primarily between October to May, data may be reported by season rather than by calendar year. In this case data labelled 2001/02 season would be data for July 2001 to June 2002. SAHR150
MalariaReported cases of malaria (per 100 000)The number of cases of malaria reported to the Department of Health per 100 000 population (for the relevant year). Also known as incidence of malaria. Note: Since malaria transmission in South Africa is seasonal, occurring primarily between October to May, data may be reported by season rather than by calendar year. In this case data labelled 2001/02 season would be data for July 2001 to June 2002. MDG (I21)34
MalariaReported deaths from malariaThe number of deaths from malaria reported to the Department of Health. Note: Since malaria transmission in South Africa is seasonal, occurring primarily between October to May, data may be reported by season rather than by calendar year. In this case data labelled 2001/02 season would be data for July 2001 to June 2002. SAHR175
HIV and AIDSAIDS orphansNumber of children under 18 years who have lost either a mother (maternal orphan), a father (paternal orphan) or both parents (a double orphan) due to HIV/AIDS. Previously the definition used was: Number of children under 15 years whose mothers have died of HIV/AIDS.

A summary of the definitions used:
ASSA 2000 - maternal orphans less than 15 years
ASSA 2002 - maternal orphans less than 18 years
ASSA 2003 - maternal orphans less than 18 years.

MDG I2089
HIV and AIDSAIDS sick (number of people with AIDS-defining conditions)Number of people estimated to be living with AIDS defining conditions.SAHR85
HIV and AIDSHIV incidenceThe HIV incidence rate is the percentage of people who are uninfected at the beginning of the period who will become infected over the twelve months. It refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of HIV diagnosed each year. (The term 'prevalence' refers to the estimated population of people who have HIV at any given time.)SAHR147
HIV and AIDSHIV prevalence (%) (antenatal)Percentage of women surveyed testing positive for HIV.

Each year a national survey of HIV prevalence among women attending public antenatal clinics in South Africa is conducted by the Department of Health. The Annual HIV antenatal survey provides South Africa with annual HIV trends among pregnant women and further provides the basis for making other estimates and projections on HIV/AIDS trends. Sentinel sites were selected on the basis of a systematic random sampling in which weighting is conducted using the probability proportional to size (PPS) technique The high HIV prevalence rates among pregnant women and the projected rates on the general population suggest the ever-increasing need for effective interventions and programmes and strengthening partnerships that will impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

MDG I1813
HIV and AIDSHIV prevalence (%) (total population)Percentage of population estimated to be HIV positive. Note: this is equivalent to indicators called People living with HIV.SAHR84
HIV and AIDSPeople living with HIVThe number of people who are HIV+.SAHR264
HIV and AIDSPercentage of deaths due to AIDSPercentage of total deaths attributed to AIDS related causes.SAHR86
HIV and AIDSProportion of ANC clients tested for HIVProportion of women coming for their first antenatal visit who are tested for HIV.SAHR262
STIsIncidence of STI treatedThe percentage of people 15 years and older that have been treated for a new episode of an STI (annualised). Numerator: STI treated - new episodes Denominator: Population 15 years and older Use: To monitor the spread, identification and treatment of STIs.SAHR182
STIsMale urethritis syndrome (MUS) rateMale urethritis syndrome cases as a percentage of all new STI episodes treated.SAHR230
STIsSTI partner notification rate (%)Number of STI partner notification slips issues divided by number of STIs treated, new episode, expressed as a percentage.SAHR221
STIsSTI partner tracing rate (%)Number of STI partners treated new divided by number of STI partner notification slips issued, expressed as a percentage.SAHR222
STIsSTI partner treatment rate (%)Number of STI partners treated new divided by number of STI treated new episode, expressed as a percentage.SAHR223
Contraception and sexual behaviourAge of first sex =<14 years (% having first had sex at age 14 or younger)Percentage of people surveyed (of various age groups) who report having first had sexual intercourse at age 14 years or younger. SAHR204
Contraception and sexual behaviourCondom use at last sexPercentage of those, who reported ever having had sex, who used a condom the last time they had sex. Note that the precise definition of this indicator varies between surveys.MDG (I19a)205
Contraception and sexual behaviourCondom use at the last high-risk sexPercentage who say they used a condom the last time they had sex with a non-marital/non-cohabiting partner, of those who were sexually active in the last 12 months.MDG I19a258
Contraception and sexual behaviourCondom use rate of the contraceptive prevalence rateCondom use to overall contraceptive use among currently married women aged 15-49, per cent.MDG I19257
Contraception and sexual behaviourContraceptive prevalence rate (any method)Percentage of women of reproductive age (15-49) who are using (or whose partner is using) a modern contraceptive method. Contraceptive methods include female and male sterilisation, injectable and oral hormones, intrauterine devices, diaphragms, spermicides and condoms, natural family planning and lactational amenorrhoea. The data from Demographic Health Surveys is based on women surveyed. Data are often reported only for women who are sexually active (in a marital or consensual union).MDG I19c57
Contraception and sexual behaviourEver had sex (%)Percentage of people who report that they have ever had sexual intercourse.SAHR203
Contraception and sexual behaviourFemale condom distribution rate (per 100 females)The number of female condoms distributed per 100 females 15 years and older. Current data for female condom distribution are much lower than male condom distribution, therefore the indicator is given per 100 females (compared to per male). Numerator: Female condoms distributed x 100 Denominator: Female target population 15 years and older.SAHR184
Contraception and sexual behaviourHIV knowledge, people who know that a person can protect herself from HIV infection by condom useHIV knowledge, people aged 15-24 who know that a person can protect herself from HIV infection by consistent use of a condom.MDG (I19b)259
Contraception and sexual behaviourMale circumcision (% of men who are circumcised)The percentage of men 15-59 years who have been circumcised.SAHR276
Contraception and sexual behaviourMale condom distribution rateThe number of male condoms distributed (to patients at the facility or through other channels) per male 15 years and older. Numerator: Male condoms distributed Denominator: Male target population 15 years and older.SAHR183
Contraception and sexual behaviourMale condoms distributed (thousands)Number of male condoms distributed. Data should be interpreted with caution depending on what distribution channel it is for - i.e. condoms distributed by national to provinces, or number distributed through PHC facilities (since some condoms are distributed to provinces, that are then distributed through several channels including PHC facilities).SAHR206
Contraception and sexual behaviourTeenage pregnancyPercentage of women aged 15-19 who are mothers or who have ever been pregnant. The percentage of women who are mothers at the time of the survey is a more restrictive definition.

Note that some of the surveys report this indicator as the percentage who have ever been pregnant of those WHO HAVE EVER HAD SEX. This is a different denominator to that used by the Demographic and Health Surveys, and the data can therefore not be directly compared.

SAHR2
Contraception and sexual behaviourWomen year protection rateThe rate at which couples (specifically women) are protected against pregnancy.SAHR231
Maternal healthANC coverageProportion of pregnant women receiving some antenatal care.

DHIS data source: Estimated from the number of first ANC visits divided by the population <1 year x 1.15 (as a proxy for the number of pregnant women). The compensation factor of 1.15 (15%): - Add 4% due to infant mortality. - Add 3% due to stillbirths - Add 8% due to (spontaneous) abortions between 10 and 28 weeks.

SADHS data source: Percentage of women surveyed who reported receiving some antenatal care from a nurse, midwife or doctor during the five years preceding the survey.

ANC coverage indicates how accessible ANC services are to pregnant women in general. DEFINITION: The percentage of pregnant women coming for at least one antenatal visit. The number of children under one year is used as a proxy denominator. USE: Monitoring to what extent antenatal services are reaching pregnant women. COMMENTS: This indicator must be analysed together with the indicator 'Antenatal visits per antenatal client'. Low antenatal coverage should prompt public campaigns etc, whereas a low number of visits per antenatal client is more likely related to quality of care (women see little reason to come for repeated visits).

MDG (I17)92
Maternal healthANC visits per clientThe total number of antenatal visits over the number of first antenatal visits (equivalent to number of antenatal clients).SAHR228
Maternal healthBirths assisted by trained health personnelPercentage of women who gave birth in the 5 years preceding the survey who reported receiving medical assistance at delivery from either a doctor, a nurse or a midwife.MDG I1758
Maternal healthCaesarean section ratePercentage of births that are by caesarean section. Also called the Caesarean delivery rate (Hospital Minimum Data Set, District Health Information System Database) - defined as Caesarean deliveries x 100 divided by Total Deliveries.SAHR76
Maternal healthDelivery rate in facilityThe percentage of deliveries taking place in health facilities under supervision of trained personnel. (The number of children under one year, factorised by 1.04 due to infant mortality, is used as an estimated proxy denominator for expected deliveries.)MDG (I17)229
Maternal healthMaternal mortality ratio (MMR)The number of women who die as a result of childbearing, during the pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery or termination of pregnancy in one year, per 100 000 live births during that year.MDG I1632
Maternal healthNumber of maternal deathsThe number of women who die as a result of childbearing, during the pregnancy or within 42 days of delivery or termination of pregnancy in one year. SAHR144
Termination of PregnancyTOP facilities functioning (%)Percentage of functioning TOP facilities. Numerator: Number of designated facilities providing termination of pregnancy services. Denominator: Total number of designated TOP facilities. Note that data may be reported for the public or private sectors or total (public and private). Objective: Increase TOP provision from 30% to 75% of facilities. SAHR151
Termination of PregnancyTOPs (Terminations of Pregnancy)The number of terminations of pregnancy.

For comparison purposes, the following indicators may need to be calculated: Abortion rate: the number of abortions per 1 000 women of reproductive age in a given year. Abortion ratio: the number of abortions per 1 000 live births in a given year. (PRB Handbook)

SAHR47
Termination of PregnancyTOPs by gestational age (%)Percentage of total terminations of pregnancy for various gestational ages. Note that the number of TOPs for women of unknown gestational age has been calculated from the total number of reported TOPs less number of TOPs for gestational age <12 and >12 weeks. In some cases the sum of these two subcategories is greater than the total, resulting in a negative figure for the number of TOPs in women of unknown gestational age.SAHR88
Termination of PregnancyTOPs by maternal age (%)Percentage of total terminations of pregnancy for various maternal ages. Caution should be exercised in interpreting this data due to the high proportion of unknown data. Note that the number of TOPs for women of unknown maternal age has been calculated from the total number of reported TOPs less number of TOPs for women age <18 and >18 years. In some cases the sum of these two subcategories is greater than the total, resulting in a negative figure for the number of TOPs in women of unknown maternal age.SAHR87
NutritionAnaemia prevalencePercentage of children with Hb <11g/dl.SAHR212
NutritionIodine deficiencyIndicator may be reported using a number of definitions: Iodine deficient school (narrow definition) = median urinary iodine concentration < 100mcg/litre or Iodine deficient school (comprehensive definition) = median urinary iodine concentration < 100mcg/litre or >= 20% of children with urinary iodine < 50mcg/litre Iodine deficient child = urinary iodine concentration < 100mcg/litre Indicator reported as proportion of schools or proportion of children as appropriate. Note: The WHO definition of adequate iodine intake is a median urinary iodine concentration of >= 100mcg/litre and a goitre prevalence of less than 5%. Since goitre prevalence was not related to urinary iodine levels in any school surveyed, this South African survey used an adapted definition.SAHR91
NutritionIodised salt consumptionProportion of households' salt samples with specified iodine concentrations. The legal concentration at packaging is 40-60mg/kg. A concentration <10mg/kg is probably insufficient to prevent iodine deficiency disorder. SAHR90
NutritionIron deficiency anaemia prevalencePercentage of children with Hb <11g/dl and ferritin <12mcg/l.SAHR214
NutritionIron deficiency prevalencePercentage of children with ferritin <12mcg/l.SAHR213
NutritionObesity (%)Percentage of people with a body mass index (BMI) (body mass in kg divided by the square of the height in m) equal to or more than 30kg/m2.SAHR46
NutritionOverweight (%)Children: Proportion of children with weight for height over 2 standard deviations from the norm (reference population median). Adults: Percentage of people with body mass index (BMI) of 25-29.9 kg/m2. BMI is weight in kg divided by the square of height in m.SAHR74
NutritionStunting (%)Proportion of children with height for age under 2 standard deviations from the norm (reference population median).SAHR44
NutritionUnderweight (%)Children: Proportion of children with weight for age under 2 standard deviations from the norm (reference population median). Adults: Percentage of people with body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2. BMI is weight in kg divided by the square of height in m.MDG I445
NutritionVitamin A deficiencyPercentage of children with serum retinol <20mcg/dl.SAHR211
NutritionWaist-hip ratio (WHR) above cut-off (%)Percentage of people with the ratio of waist / hip circumference >= 1.0 (for men) or >=0.85 (for women). Body Mass Index does provide an index for obesity, but has limitations in predicting risk for cardiovascular events. Research has indicated that measurement of WHR enables prediction of cardiovascular risk (Am Heart J 2005 Jan 149: 54-60.)SAHR196
NutritionWasting (%)Proportion of children with weight for height under 2 standard deviations from the norm (reference population median).SAHR43
Child HealthChildren under 5 years weighing rateThe percentage of PHC headcount under 5 years that were weighed. Monitoring whether the policy of weighing all children seen at least once a month is being adhered to.SAHR233
Child HealthDiarrhoea incidence <5 per 1 000The number of children under 5 years with diarrhoea per 1 000 population under 5 years per year. DEFINITION: The number of children with diarrhoea per 1 000 children in the target population. Diarrhoea is formally defined as 3 or more watery stools in 24 hours, but any episode diagnosed and/or treated as diarrhoea after an interview with the adult accompanying the child should be counted. USE: To determine the health status of children and identify potential environmental hazards (e.g. contamination of water sources). COMMENTS: It is assumed that health personnel, through interviewing the person accompanying the child, confirm that the problem most likely is diarrhoea and not just a temporary running stomach due to e.g. intake of certain drinks/foodstuffs. Diarrhoeal disease is one of the leading causes of infant mortality, and is closely related to both socio-economic situation and environmental health issues like access to clean water.SAHR132
Child HealthExclusive breastfeeding ratePercentage of living children receiving only breast milk from birth to various ages. Optimal breastfeeding practices include exclusive breastfeeding (breast milk with no other foods or liquids) for the first six months of life, followed by breastmilk and complementary foods (solid or semi-solid foods) from about six months of age on, and continued breastfeeding for up to at least two years of age while receiving complementary foods. (http://www.childinfo.org/eddb/brfeed/)SAHR148
Child HealthNot gaining weight under 5 years rate (%)The percentage of children weighed who had an episode of growth faltering/failure during the period. Note that WC uses a 'tighter' definition of not gaining weight.SAHR234
Child HealthNumber of orphansNumber of children under 18 years whose biological mother, biological father or both parents have died. Different kinds of orphans are defined as: maternal orphans - a child whose mother has died, or whose living status is not known, but whose father is alive. paternal orphans - a child whose father has died, or whose living status is not known, but whose mother is alive. double/dual orphan - a child whose mother and father have both died, or whereabouts are unknown.SAHR265
Child HealthPneumonia incidence rate under 5 yearsThe number of children under 5 years diagnosed with pneumonia, per 1 000 children in the catchment population. This indicator was called Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) incidence rate, due to incorrect interpretation of LRTI.SAHR209
Child HealthSevere malnutrition under 5 years incidence (per 1 000)The number of children who weigh below 60% Expected Weight for Age (new cases that month) per 1 000 children in the target population.SAHR235
Child HealthVitamin A coverage children 12-60 monthsPercentage of children 12-60 months receiving vitamin A 200 000 units - full coverage is 200% or two doses per child per year.SAHR241
Child HealthVitamin A coverage infants 6-11 monthsPercentage of infants 6-11 months receiving vitamin A 100 000 units.SAHR240
Child HealthWeighing coverage (annualised)The children <5 years actually weighed during the reporting period as a percentage of the total number of expected weighings in the target population. Expected weighings are defined as one weighing per month (12 per year) for children under 1 year, one weighing every second month for 1 year old children (6 per year), and 2 weighings per year for children 2-4 years (24 weighings in total over 5 years). Use: To evaluate the coverage or completeness of growth monitoring - weighing would normally always be combined with a brief clinical assessment, in particular for children that are underweight or not gaining weight.SAHR232
ImmunisationImmunisation coverage of children <1 yearPercentage of children under 1 year who are fully immunised. Calculated from the number of children fully immunised (defined as first visit where all required vaccinations are completed) divided by the population <1 year. DEFINITION: The percentage of all children in the target area under one year who complete their primary course of immunisation during the month (annualised). A Primary Course includes BCG, OPV 1,2 & 3, DTP-Hib 1,2 & 3, HepB 1,2 & 3, and 1st measles at 9 months. USE: To assist with operational planning for full immunisation coverage. COMMENTS: The denominator will normally be the number of children under one as per the latest census. It can also be the number of live births reported, if that number is accurate, or the number of less than one year olds based on the Census but adjusted for population growth and/or immigration/emigration/urbanisation patterns.SAHR107
ImmunisationImmunisation drop out rate (DTP1-3)The percentage of children who dropped out of the immunisation schedule between the first dose (normally at 6 weeks) and the third dose (normally at 14 weeks). The DTP-Hib numbers are used for this purpose.SAHR238
ImmunisationImmunisation drop out rate (DTP3-measles)The percentage of children who dropped out of the immunisation schedule between the third dose (normally at 14 weeks / 3.5 months) and the first measles dose (normally at 9 months). The DTP-Hib numbers are used for this purpose.SAHR239
ImmunisationImmunisation drop out rate (measles 1 to 2)The percentage of children who dropped out of the immunisation schedule between the first (normally at 9 months) and second (normally at 18 months) measles dose. SAHR217
ImmunisationMeasles 1st dose coverage (annualised)The percentage of children who received their 1st measles dose (normally at 9 months) - annualised. Numerator: Measles 1st dose under 1 year Denominator: Target population under 1 year Equivalent to MDG indicator 'Proportion of 1 year-old children immunised against measles'. MDG I15216
ImmunisationOPV 1 coverageThe percentage of children under 1 immunised with OPV dose 1.SAHR236
ImmunisationOPV 3 coverageThe percentage of children under 1 immunised with OPV dose 3.SAHR237
Chronic DiseasesAsthma prevalence (per 1 000)Number of people with asthma per 1 000 people in the target population. Data for the private sector are based on the number of people being TREATED for this condition. Data for the total population from SADHS are based on the number of adults 15 years and older who were told by a doctor, nurse or health worker that they have a chronic health condition.SAHR269
Chronic DiseasesCervical cancer screening coverageNumber of cervical cancer smears in women age 30 and older screened for cervical cancer divided by the female target population (age 30 and older). Since the policy is that each woman should be tested once every 10 years, when considered annually this indicator should be multiplied by 10 to assess the annual coverage. SAHR263
Chronic DiseasesCervical cancer screening effective coveragePercentage of eligible women (aged 25 to 64) who report that they have had a pelvic exam and Pap smear in the past three years. SAHR274
Chronic DiseasesDiabetes prevalence (per 1 000)Number of people with diabetes per 1 000 people in the target population.SAHR275
Chronic DiseasesHyperlipidaemia prevalence (per 1 000)Number of people with hyperlipidaemia per 1 000 people in the target population. Data for the private sector are based on the number of people being TREATED for this condition. Data for the total population from SADHS are based on the number of adults 15 years and older who were told by a doctor, nurse or health worker that they have a chronic health condition.SAHR268
Chronic DiseasesHypertension prevalence (per 1 000)Number of people with hypertension per 1 000 people in the target population. Data for the private sector are based on the number of people being TREATED for this condition. In the SADHS 1998, the prevalence of hypertension reported here is classified as follows: Moderate and severe hypertension: BP equal to or above 160/95 mmHg or taking hypertension medication Any hypertension: BP equal to or above 140/90 mmHg or taking hypertension medication. In the SADHS 2003, the self-reported (SR) prevalence of hypertension was defined as percentage of respondents age 15 and above who were told by a doctor nurse or health worker at a clinic or hospital that they have this condition. The measured prevalence of hypertension was defined as those with BP equal or above 140/90 mmHg and/or taking anti-hypertensive medication. Note that the SADHS 2003 results for hypertension are considered to be unrealistically low, with a possible explanation of poor fieldwork measurement of BP. SADHS data have been converted from a percentage to the rate per 1 000 population. SAHR41
Chronic DiseasesPrevalence of mental disordersPercentage of the population suffering from any common mental disorders.SAHR273
Behaviour & AwarenessAlcohol dependence (%)Percentage of people who show signs of alcohol dependence. Alcohol dependence is identified using four screening questions that indirectly inquire about alcohol use (CAGE questionnaire). An affirmative answer to two or more questions is classified as alcohol dependence. CAGE questions are: C - Has anyone ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking? A - Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? G - Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking? E - Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? SAHR200
Behaviour & AwarenessCurrently drink alcohol (%)Percentage of people who currently drink alcohol.SAHR201
Behaviour & AwarenessEver drank alcohol (%)Percentage of people who ever drank alcohol.SAHR199
Behaviour & AwarenessEver smoked cigarettes (%)Percentage of people who have ever smoked a cigarette, even one or two puffs.SAHR194
Behaviour & AwarenessFrequent smokers (%)Percentage of people who smoked (cigarettes) on 20 or more days of the past 30 days.SAHR195
Behaviour & AwarenessNumber of admissions for alcohol and other drug abuseNumber of patients admitted for treatment by treatment centres who are part of the SACENDU Project sentinel surveillance system. As at 15 May 2007 these included 28 centres in Cape Town, 6 centres in Durban/Pietermaritzburg, 9 centres in the Eastern Cape, 19 centres in Johannesburg and Pretoria (GP), 4 centres in Mpumalanga and 7 centres in Free State, Northern Cape and North West provinces. Where data for the latter 3 have not been disaggregated these are included in the national total.SAHR266
Behaviour & AwarenessPercentage participating in insufficient physical activityPercentage of those surveyed who did not participate in either vigorous or moderate physical activity that would have been sufficient to gain any health benefit, in the 7 days preceding the survey. Vigorous activity is defined as activities for 20 or more minutes on 3 or more of the 7 days preceding the survey such as soccer, netball, rugby or basketball. Moderate activity is defined as 30 or more minutes on 5 or more of the 7 days preceding the survey such as fast walking, slow bicycling, skating, mopping or sweeping floors.SAHR197
Behaviour & AwarenessPrevalence of smoking (%)Percentage of population who currently smoke. This indicator is also known as 'Current smokers (%)' Note that the indicator may be given just for cigarettes or for other tobacco products.SAHR53
Behaviour & AwarenessPrimary drug of abuse as % of all drugs of abusePercentage breakdown of the primary drug of abuse reported by patients admitted to treatment centres that are part of the SACENDU sentinel surveillance system. Note that poly-substance abuse is high, with 34% of patients in treatment centres in Gauteng and 55% in Cape Town reporting more than one substance of abuse.SAHR267
Behaviour & AwarenessRisky drinking (%) - weekendsPercentage of current drinkers of alcohol who engage in risky drinking at the weekend, defined as >=5 drinks per day (males) or >=3 drinks per day (females). In the SADHS 2003 this was defined as the percentage of adult drinkers 15 years and above who drink at hazardous or harmful levels based on past 7 day drinking report. Hazardous levels are defined as 4-6 standard drinks per day and harmful drinking as in excess of 6 drinks per day for men. For women the comparable amounts are 2-4 (hazardous) and more than 4 (harmful). SAHR202
Behaviour & AwarenessSmoking age of initiation <10 yearsPercentage of people who first smoked cigarettes before age 10 years (of those who have ever smoked).SAHR193
Behaviour & AwarenessWatch TV more than 3 hours per dayPercentage of those surveyed (who have access to a TV, video or computer games) who spent 3 hours or more watching TV or playing video/computer games during an average school day.SAHR198
InjuriesPercentage adults experienced work related illness/injuriesProportion of working adults (adults = 15+ years) who reported suffering from a work-related illness or injury.SAHR40
InjuriesRoad accident fatalities per 100 000 populationNumber of fatalities due to road accidents per 100 000 population.SAHR224
Health FacilitiesLength of stayAverage duration of patient stay in health facility. Numerator: Inpatient days + 1/2 Day patients Denominator: Discharges + Deaths + Transfers out + Day patients Note: data may be given for financial years rather than calendar years. Data for 2002 is for the 2001/02 financial year.SAHR157
Health FacilitiesNumber of bedsSAHR112
Health FacilitiesNumber of health facilitiesSAHR108
Health FacilitiesPercentage clinics with antenatal services every week daySAHR60
Health FacilitiesPercentage clinics with emergency response < 1 hourPercentage of clinics with emergency response time shorter than 1 hour.SAHR65
Health FacilitiesPercentage clinics with EPI services every week daySAHR59
Health FacilitiesPercentage clinics with family planning services every week daySAHR61
Health FacilitiesPercentage clinics with STI services every week daySAHR62
Health FacilitiesPercentage clinics with TB services every week daySAHR63
Health FacilitiesPercentage of facilities out of stock: male condomsPercentage of PHC public sector facilities who reported stock-outs of condoms at any time in the month surveyed.SAHR185
Health FacilitiesPercentage of facilities out of stock: STI medicinesPercentage of PHC public sector facilities that reported having any one of five drugs considered essential for STI management out of stock during the month of the survey. (metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, doxycyline, benzathine-penicillin).SAHR186
Health FacilitiesPercentage of facilities providing ARTPercentage of public primary care facilities that provide antiretroviral therapy (ART).SAHR225
Health FacilitiesPercentage of facilities that are PMTCT sitesPercentage of PHC public sector health facilities that provide prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services.SAHR191
Health FacilitiesPercentage of PHC facilities offering VCTPercentage of PHC facilities offering Voluntary Counselling and HIV Testing (VCT). Indicator was previously known as 'Percentage PHC facilities where HIV testing is made available' but since about 2000, testing and counselling is together known as VCT.SAHR67
Health FacilitiesPercentage PHC facilities where condoms are freely availableNumerator: Number of facilities where condoms can be obtained without asking. Denominator: Total PHC facilities surveyed.SAHR66
Health FacilitiesUseable bed utilisation (occupancy) rateMeasure of the occupancy of the beds available for use. Numerator: (Inpatient days + 1/2 Day patients) x 100 Denominator: Useable beds x days in period. Note: data may be given for financial years rather than calendar years. Data for 2002 is for the 2001/02 financial year.SAHR156
Health FacilitiesUseable beds per 100 000 populationThe number of useable beds divided by the population x 100 000. Where this is calculated for public health sector beds, the population used is the public sector dependent (uninsured) population. Note: data may be given for financial years rather than calendar years. Data for 2002 is for the 2001/02 financial year.SAHR181
Health FacilitiesUtilisation rate PHCNumber of visits per person to PHC health facilities per year. Calculated from PHC headcount divided by total population. DEFINITION: The rate at which services are utilised by the target population, represented as the average number of visits per person per year in the target population. The denominator is Census-derived population estimates. USE: To determine overall utilisation patterns, in particular relevant for the move towards equity in the health sector. COMMENTS: Utilisation may depend on many things like accessibility, acceptably and appropriateness of services, as well as the legacy of apartheid with its gross inequity in resources and personnel.SAHR116
Health FacilitiesUtilisation rate PHC <5 yearsNumber of visits per person <5 years to PHC health facilities per year. Calculated from PHC headcount <5 years divided by population <5 years. DEFINITION: The rate at which services are utilised by the target population, represented as the average number of visits per person per year in the target population. The denominator is Census-derived population estimates. USE: To determine overall utilisation patterns, in particular relevant for the move towards equity in the health sector. COMMENTS: Utilisation may depend on many things like accessibility, acceptably and appropriateness of services, as well as the legacy of apartheid with its gross inequity in resources and personnel.SAHR