Data Resources

To facilitate and promote the use of MEASURE DHS data in research and program design, monitoring, and evaluation; survey results are made available for distribution to a wide range of audiences.

Formats for distributing MEASURE DHS data include:

• Online Databases
• Survey Datasets
• Survey Publications

Online Databases

MEASURE DHS makes available a number of databases available for online querying.

• STATcompiler
  The DHS STATcompiler allows users to select numerous countries and hundreds of indicators to create customized tables that serve their specific data needs. STATcompiler accesses nearly all of the population and health indicators that are published in DHS final reports with just the click of the mouse.
• STATcompiler Express
  Express offers an easy way to quickly select up to 10 indicators from a list of the 30 most requested STATcompiler indicators and create a table to compare the most recent surveys available.
• HIV/AIDS Indicators Database
  The HIV/AIDS Survey Indicators Database provides an easily accessible comprehensive source of information on HIV/AIDS indicators derived from sample surveys. Currently, the main sources of HIV/AIDS indicators in the database are the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), the Reproductive Health Surveys (RHS), the Sexual Behavior Surveys (SBS), and Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (BSS).
• STATmapper
  STATmapper is an interactive mapping application, allows users to create maps in seconds from a database of Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) findings from more than 75 countries. A variety of information can be mapped, ranging from fertility rates to infant mortality to household characteristics like running water and possession of durable goods.

Survey Datasets

DHS believes that widespread access to survey data by responsible researchers has enormous advantages for the countries concerned and the international community in general. Therefore, DHS policy is to release survey data to researchers after the main survey report is published, generally within 12 months after the end of fieldwork. DHS maintains a data archive, with datasets available on the Internet through a process of electronic registration.

The reformatting of each datasets into a standard recode file facilitates use of DHS data. This file standardizes the variable names, location, and value categories across countries and constructs many of the commonly used variables such as age in five-year groups. Because DHS surveys collect an enormous amount of information on different subjects for the household, women age 15–49, children under age five and often men age 15–59, these standard recode files are a particular advantage to cross-country analysis.

Dataset Resources

• Introduction to Datasets
• Download Instructions
• Download Datasets

Survey Publications

The survey results for each country where a survey was conducted are published in a final report and a summary type report on key findings. Further dissemination of survey data is achieved through the publication of analytical, comparative and other reports. These survey related publications are available for wide use to all those who request them. Most of the documents are available for download or can be sent to your mailing address. These and other publications can be accessed from the Publications section of the website.

Data Publication Resources

• Browse Final Reports: DHS, AIS, SPA
• Browse Summary Reports
• View an overview of publication types