The DHS Program

November 25, 2014 
New Demographic and Health Surveys' Questionnaires Released

The USAID-funded Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program has revised and updated its model questionnaires to meet emerging program and health needs in developing countries. A major source of public health data worldwide, The DHS Program has provided technical assistance for more than 300 surveys in over 90 countries. The DHS questionnaires—household, woman's, man's, and biomarkers —are revised every five years to ensure that the data collected are most up-to-date and useful for countries. For the current revision, The DHS Program solicited feedback on revising the questionnaires through an online portal on the DHS Users Forum; more than 300 key stakeholders from 80 plus organizations worldwide responded. The new questionnaires, available on The DHS Program's website (www.dhsprogram.com), will be used in all upcoming surveys starting with Zimbabwe, Burundi, and South Africa.Reflecting the growing use of mobile technology in developing countries, the revised questionnaires now include information on ownership of mobile telephones, whether women have received voice or text messages about family planning on a mobile phone, ownership of computers, and use of the internet. The Woman's Questionnaire also includes new questions on women's agency such as use of mobile phones for financial transactions, whether a woman has her own account in a bank or other financial institution, and whether women own or co-own a house or land for which their name is on a deed or title.

DHS surveys are designed to help countries monitor population trends and patterns in health practices and evaluate ongoing programs. To this end, DHS collects, analyzes, and disseminates accurate and representative data on population, health, HIV, and nutrition worldwide. The revised questionnaires will collect additional new data on issues vital to health programs including where households acquired mosquito nets, condom brands used, use of micronutrient supplements for children, and knowledge and use of HIV self-test kits. The Man's questionnaire has substantially expanded the questions on tobacco use to assess the health implications for individuals and families and to harmonize questions with the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. To address the growing use of Caesarean Sections, the DHS will now collect information on whether these operations were planned or carried out on an emergency basis.

In addition to the model questionnaires used in every country, The DHS Program also provides separate modules which countries can use as needed. Current modules include domestic violence, female genital cutting, maternal mortality, fistula, and out-of-pocket health expenditures. The DHS Program will develop new modules on newborn care, non-communicable diseases and injuries, disabilities, and male circumcision among children.

USAID is providing funding for the seventh round of The Demographic and Health Surveys Program to ICF International and partners from 2013-2018.

For more information about the revised questionnaires, contact: Kia Reinis (kia.reinis@icfi.com)

For information about The DHS Program, visit our website: www.dhsprogram.com