The 2004-05 Tanzania DHS is part of the worldwide Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) programme which assists countries in the collection of data to monitor and evaluate population, health, and nutrition programmes. The principal objective of the 2004-05 TDHS was to collect data on household characteristics, fertility levels and preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, breastfeeding practices, antenatal care, childhood immunisation and diseases, nutritional status of young children and women, malaria prevention and treatment, women’s status, female circumcision, sexual activity, and knowledge and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS and other STIs.