Journal Articles
Search our database of 1000's of peer-reviewed journal articles that feature DHS data.
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
Sep 2020
Household Wealth Relative to Community Wealth: Associations with Specific Asset Ownership and Maternal and Child Health IndicatorsThis report describes inequalities in asset ownership and maternal and child health indicator coverage in 11 countries, using the most recent Demographic and Health surveys from each country.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Maternal Health, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Aug 2020
Variations in Health Outcomes with Alternative Measures of Urbanicity, Using Demographic and Health Surveys 2013-18The literature has firmly established the link between urban/rural place of residence and health indicators, and the association of poor health outcomes and health services in rural areas.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Family Planning, Geographic Information, Maternal Health, Nutrition, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Aug 2018
Absolute Poverty, Fertility Preferences, and Family Planning Use in FP2020 Focus CountriesBroad gains in contraceptive access and use have been made in low-income countries over the past decade while poverty has declined, but the trends have been uneven.
Topics: Family Planning, Fertility and Fertility Preferences, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Aug 2016
Levels and Trends in Maternal and Child Health Disparities by Wealth and Region in Eleven Countries with DHS SurveysThis report describes recent levels and trends in 11 maternal and child health (MCH) indicators in 11 countries, using the two most recent DHS surveys from each country.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Family Planning, Maternal Health, Nutrition, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Aug 2016
Urban Child Poverty, Health, and Survival in Low- and Middle-Income CountriesThis report examines levels and trends in poverty, health status, and use of health services among children under age 5 living in large cities in low- and middle-income countries, and compares their health status and use of services to those of their other urban, rural, and non-poor counterparts.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Infant and Child Mortality, Nutrition, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Aug 2016
Levels and Determinants of Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Namibia, and RwandaThis study uses data from the Demographic and Health Surveys to explore the levels and determinants of out-of-pocket health expenditures in four African countries—Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Liberia, Namibia, and Rwanda.
Topics: Wealth/Socioeconomics
Sep 2015
The Prevalence of Household Risk Factors for Children Age 0-17, Estimated for 2000-2015 Using DHS and MICS SurveysChildren whose parents and households have certain characteristics are known to be more vulnerable to negative child outcomes.
Topics: Child Health and Development, HIV/AIDS, Household and Respondent Characteristics, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Sep 2014
Intertemporal Comparisons of Poverty and Wealth with DHS Data: A Harmonized Asset Index ApproachOver the past 30 years, the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program has conducted more than 300 household surveys in over 90 countries.
Topics: Household and Respondent Characteristics, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Feb 2014
Making the Demographic and Health Surveys Wealth Index ComparableThe development of the DHS Wealth Index more than a decade ago provided the opportunity to analyze economic status inequalities beyond those of educational attainment, occupation, residence, and ethnic group.
Topics: Wealth/Socioeconomics
Jan 2014
Association between Economic Growth, Coverage of Maternal and Child Health Interventions, and Under-Five Mortality: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Analysis of 36 Sub-Saharan African CountriesIn this report, using data from 99 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 36 sub-Saharan African countries, we investigate factors that have contributed to the declines in under-five mortality rates (U5MR) in sub-Saharan Africa.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Infant and Child Mortality, Maternal Health, Wealth/Socioeconomics