Every five years, The DHS Program reviews and revises the core household questionnaires and optional modules used in Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Malaria Indicator Surveys (MIS) to better meet the continuing and evolving needs of data users worldwide. During this revision process, we invite survey stakeholders – government partners, program implementers, civil society […]
Since 1984, The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program has been a cornerstone of health data, providing nationally representative insights on crucial topics such as fertility, maternal and child health, family planning, malaria, and nutrition. This wealth of data has been instrumental in shaping health policies and programs across the globe. Yet, there remains a […]
The DHS Program collects and disseminates population, health, and nutrition data, but did you know The DHS Program also helps people access and use data? Stronger analytical capacity will enhance evidence-based decision making in countries worldwide. The DHS Program provides a variety of capacity strengthening opportunities, from open self-guided online courses on the DHS Program […]
In 2024, five teams of two university faculty members became the newest cohort of DHS Fellows. They worked directly with DHS Program researchers to strengthen their analytical skills, write working papers using DHS Program data, prepare presentations to share their findings with policy makers, and improve their use of DHS Program data in the classroom […]
The days and weeks following childbirth are the postnatal period, a vulnerable phase in the lives of mothers and newborns. Postnatal care (PNC) refers to the care provided to the mother and newborn immediately after birth and during the first six weeks of life. DHS Program surveys collect information on three key components of PNC: […]
Anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues in the body. Anemia is estimated to affect more than 250 million children under age 5 and more than half a billion women of reproductive age worldwide. When severe, anemia can lead to impaired cognitive and motor development in […]
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.3 aims to end epidemics including malaria. The WHO Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030 sets targets to: DHS Program data are essential for monitoring malaria prevalence, for example through diagnostic blood testing of children under age 5. The DHS Program also frequently collects information on malaria prevention measures such […]
The Service Provision Assessment (SPA) is a health facility-based survey that was recently revised to address the increasing need for data about the quality of care in health facilities. The new SPA collects information on available health services as well as Quality of Care (QoC) measures that assess both structural and process quality. Structural quality […]
IPUMS DHS recently selected the 2023 winners of its Best Published Paper and Best Student Paper awards. Using source data from the public use files of The DHS Program, IPUMS DHS has created variables with consistent names and codes across samples, displays variable availability and information about each variable on its website, and allows registered […]
Today, May 28, 2024, is the 10th anniversary of International Menstrual Hygiene Day. Living free of taboos and stigma about menstruation, and having access to quality menstrual products, accurate information and education, and privacy and cleanliness — these are not necessarily givens in many parts of the world. As of 2019, the DHS-8 woman’s questionnaire […]
Anthropometry measurement (height and weight) is a core component of DHS surveys that is used to generate indicators on nutritional status. The Biomarker Questionnaire now includes questions on clothing and hairstyle interference on measurements for both women and children for improved interpretation.