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
Jul 2018
A Primer on The Demographic and Health Surveys Program Spatial Covariate Data and Their ApplicationsThe Demographic and Health Surveys Program geospatial team has prepared a set of geospatial covariates datasets that provide researchers and analysts with powerful demographic, environmental, and geophysical variables to include in their analysis of DHS survey data.
Topics: Geographic Information
Aug 2017
The DHS Program Modeled Map Surfaces: Understanding the Utility of Spatial Interpolation for Generating Indicators at Subnational Administrative LevelsAs interest in describing subnational variation in demographic and health indicators grows, The DHS Program has commenced a plan of work to enable the routine creation and dissemination of spatially modeled indicator surfaces for a set of key indicators.
Topics: Geographic Information
Aug 2016
Geospatial Modeling of Child Mortality across 27 Countries in Sub-Saharan AfricaPreventable mortality of children has been targeted as one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for the 2015-30 period.
Topics: Geographic Information, Infant and Child Mortality
Aug 2016
Guidance for Use of The DHS Program Modeled Map SurfacesImproved understanding of geographic variation and inequity in health status, wealth, and access to resources within countries is central to meeting sustainable development goals.
Topics: Geographic Information
Sep 2015
The Relationship between the Health Service Environment and Service Utilization: Linking Population Data to Health Facilities Data in Haiti and MalawiAccess to and quality of health services are key determinants in utilization of health services and consequently, health outcomes.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Family Planning, Geographic Information, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Maternal Health
Sep 2015
Creating Spatial Interpolation Surfaces with DHS DataImproved understanding of sub-national geographic variation and inequity in demographic and health indicators is increasingly recognized as central to meeting development goals.
Topics: Geographic Information
Sep 2015
Geographic Variation in Key Indicators of Maternal and Child Health Across 27 Countries in Sub-Saharan AfricaWhile progress has been made in many areas of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which expire in 2015, it appears that the maternal, newborn and child health goals (MDG 4 and 5) will not be universally achieved.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Geographic Information, Maternal Health
Sep 2014
Linking DHS Household and SPA Facility Surveys: Data Considerations and Geospatial MethodsThis report examines the potential benefits of linking Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data and Service Provision Assessment (SPA) survey data to answer research questions.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Geographic Information, HIV/AIDS, Maternal Health
Sep 2014
Spatial Interpolation with Demographic and Health Survey Data: Key ConsiderationsThe effective stewardship of health programs requires approaches that precisely target resources and interventions to meet population needs; one approach involves the use of geographic data modeling.
Topics: Geographic Information
Sep 2013
Geographic Displacement Procedure and Georeferenced Data Release Policy for the Demographic and Health SurveysNA.
Topics: Geographic Information