Journal Articles
Search our database of 1000's of peer-reviewed journal articles that feature DHS data.
Featured Studies
Featured research topics go beyond a single research paper and often include multiple publications and user-friendly summaries and dissemination materials.
The DHS Fellows Program
Researchers in DHS countries work with DHS analysts to design, analyze, and write a publishable paper.
DHS Analysis Blogs
Read more about our recent research, innovative methods, and success stories.
Research and Further Analysis
The DHS Program's in-house Research and Analysis team conducts rigorous, timely, and innovative mixed-methods research on topics related to global public health, demography, and social epidemiology. Our team also trains, mentors, and closely collaborates with fellow researchers and stakeholders who are driven to utilize DHS Program surveys and other survey data to inform programs and policies in various countries and contexts.
Visit the publications search for a full list of publications. Also, go to the journal articles search for a full list of published journal artilcles that feature The DHS Program data.
DHS Research Reports
Oct 2024
Pregnancy History Model Analysis Plan: Time to Live Birth After Non-live Birth Pregnancy OutcomeThis document is a model analysis plan for the further analysis of data from The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program.
Topics: Survey Methodology, Data Quality, Analysis
Aug 2024
Implementation Lessons from Anthropometry: Data Quality Procedures in DHS SurveysAnthropometric data collection at The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program includes bothstandardization exercises and child remeasurement, but the settings in which surveys are implemented can affect the quality of anthropometric data.
Topics: Anthropometry/Biomarkers, Survey Methodology, Data Quality, Analysis
Aug 2024
Nutrition Data Collection Procedures: Enhancements and InnovationsThe Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program is a leading source of national and subnational nutrition data.
Topics: Anthropometry/Biomarkers, Nutrition
May 2024
Inequalities in Effective Coverage by Urban Poverty StatusPrevious research has established intra-urban disparities in intervention coverage and quality of care between the urban poor and non-poor.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Health facilities/SPA surveys, Maternal Health
Mar 2024
Collecting Diverse Data on Gender and Sexuality in Demographic and Health Surveys: An OverviewThe United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long been a champion of gender equality and in recent years have updated their policies to recognize that sex disaggregation in a binary does not fully reflect the populations being served.
Topics: Gender
Feb 2024
Agency, Consent and Coercion: Young People's Experiences of First Sex in Ashanti and Northern Regions, GhanaThe establishment of romantic and sexual relationships is a key component of the transition from adolescence to adulthood across the world.
Topics: Youth
Sep 2023
Consistency of Pregnancy Outcome and Contraceptive Reporting Using the Pregnancy History Versus Birth HistoryThis study examines the consistency of reporting for two important pieces of information from the DHS reproductive calendar: first, births and terminations and second, contraceptive use.
Topics: Survey Methodology, Data Quality, Analysis
Sep 2023
The Effect of Fertility Behavior on Child Survival: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Surveys, 2012–2022Reducing child mortality is a major public health concern.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences, Infant and Child Mortality
Sep 2023
Community Improved Sanitation Coverage and Childhood StuntingLack of access to improved sanitation facilities remains a global problem, with an estimated 1.
Topics: Adult Health Issues, Nutrition
Aug 2023
Internal Adult Women Migrants' Use and Access to Health Services in 15 DHS CountriesThis report uses Demographic and Health Survey data from 15 countries to examine internal migration of adult women age 18–49 between rural and urban areas and its relationship with access to and use of health services.
Topics: Household and Respondent Characteristics