November 18, 2020, is GIS Day, a day to celebrate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and their application to DHS data. This GIS Day, we highlight recent work from The DHS Program Geospatial team. Highlighting Subnational Inequalities That May Hinder COVID-19 Mitigation The Geospatial team produced a story map using DHS spatial data on handwashing […]
In March 2020, The DHS Program released a call for applications for the 2020 DHS Data Processing Procedures – Data Tabulation and Data Finalization (DPPII) workshop, to be held in Accra, Ghana in June. The DPPII workshop includes online pre-work and face-to-face instruction. DHS Program Data Processing staff members assist participants through one-on-one coaching, and […]
The DHS Program recently published a Methodological Report providing a framework for estimating “level-weights” in DHS surveys – weights that correspond to each stage of sampling. These weights are required for multilevel modeling. While the audience for the framework itself is academic researchers, the challenge of protecting respondent confidentiality while supporting data analysis is of […]
Name: Livia Montana Position title: Deputy Director Languages spoken: French, Spanish, a little Swahili, a word or two in Arabic, a touch of Portuguese When did you start at The DHS Program? I was hired in 1999 as the first GIS Analyst after completing my master’s degree in Population Geography. The DHS Program at that […]
Even though COVID-19 has paused survey fieldwork and kept DHS Program staff from traveling, DHS data continue to inform the COVID-19 conversation around the world. The just-launched COVID-19 feature page on The DHS Program website provides a hub for all of this essential information. This new page features the tools released this year by The […]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The DHS Program has paused in-person survey trainings and activities. Recognizing the desire for opportunities to showcase new survey results despite global stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, The DHS Program has devised virtual dissemination strategies for surveys. Since April 2020, The DHS Program has worked with implementing agencies […]
Countless studies have shown that breast milk is beneficial to an infant’s growth and development during the first year of life. This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week from the WHO and World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action highlights the importance of supporting breastfeeding with skilled breastfeeding counseling. The DHS Program has collected data for more […]
The DHS Program’s analysis team uses DHS data to explore topics related to global health, demography, and social epidemiology. Since our last update, the analysis team has used DHS data to explore the following questions: What insights into women’s contraceptive and pregnancy experiences can be gained by examining DHS contraceptive calendars? DHS Analytical Study, Women’s Contraceptive […]
July 11th is World Population Day. This year’s UNFPA theme, Putting the brakes on COVID-19, is focused on safeguarding the health of women and girls during the pandemic. World Population Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on how women are uniquely affected by the COVID-19 crisis: Women make up the largest share of […]
As health systems and programs are increasingly managed at subnational levels (regions, states, or counties), DHS data are frequently available at smaller geographic units. For instance, the 2018 Nigeria DHS provides estimates at the national level, by urban-rural residence, and for 6 zones and 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). There is an […]
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.