Getting Started

Nationally representative surveys are designed to collect data on monitoring and impact evaluation indicators important for individual countries and for cross-country comparisons.  Working with survey indicators requires a basic understanding of the types of information being collected as a basic understanding of statistics. This section provides an introductory overview to understanding MEASURE DHS data and is meant to be a helpful tool for all data users. It can be an aid for those who are just starting out in using data as well as for those whose skills are more advanced.

What Survey Data is Collected?

• Types of Data Collected
  MEASURE DHS collects data using survey questionnaires, biomarker testing, and geographic location.
  • Data Collection Overview
• Survey Types
  The types of data collected varies by survey type and individual survey although standardized indicators and methodologies are used to every extent possible.
  • DHS Survey Overview
  • SPA Survey Overview
  • AIS Survey Overview
• Completed Surveys
  MEASURE DHS has conducted over 200 surveys in over 75 countries. A list of completed and Ongoing surveys is available for browsing and includes key characteristics of each survey.
  • Browse Surveys by Country
  • Browse Surveys by Year

How is Survey Data Processed?

Survey data is processed and presented in the final survey report containing a number of tables that provide information on specific indicators in a country. These tables are designed to be comparable between surveys and across countries.

Data processing references include:

• An overview of the Data Processing Methodology for how survey data is processed, reviewed for accuracy and quality, and finally tabulated and prepared for final release.
• An introduction to the Data Tabulation Plan which defines model tables to set forth the major findings of a survey in a manner that will be useful to policy makers and program managers.
• An overview of the data editing and imputation policies that ensure consistent Data Quality and Use.

What Survey Indicators are Available?

• DHS Surveys
  • The Guide to DHS Statistics provides definitions and methodologies for calculating select DHS Survey indicators
  • Survey Indicators provides a quick listing of DHS Survey Indicators available for online querying.
  • The Guidelines for the Main Survey Report (also known as the Tabulation Plan) provides descriptive information of DHS Survey indicators and tables.