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
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
Potential Bias and Selectivity in Analyses of Children Born in the Past Five Years Using DHS DataThis paper investigates potential biases in analysis of data for only last-born children or non-last-born children instead of all children, and in the analysis of succeeding birth or pregnancy intervals, in both the five-year period preceding The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program surveys and for longer periods of time.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Infant and Child Mortality, Nutrition
Sep 2014
Assessing the Quality of Care in Family Planning, Antenatal, and Sick Child Services at Health Facilities in Kenya, Namibia, and SenegalThis study assessed the quality of care at health facilities in providing family planning, antenatal care, and sick child care, using data from nationally representative Service Provision Assessment (SPA) surveys in Kenya, Namibia, and Senegal.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Family Planning, Maternal Health
Sep 2014
Impact of Scale-up of Maternal and Delivery Care on Reductions in Neonatal Mortality in USAID MCH Priority Countries, 2000-2010Globally, the impressive gains in under-five mortality between 2000 and 2010 have been accompanied by more modest reductions in neonatal mortality.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Infant and Child Mortality, Maternal Health
Feb 2014
The Effects of Fertility Behavior on Child Survival and Child Nutritional Status: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Surveys, 2006 to 2012This study analyzes the effect of inter- pregnancy spacing, age at birth and birth order on child mortality and nutritional status, using multivariate methods.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Family Planning, Fertility and Fertility Preferences, Infant and Child Mortality, Nutrition
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
Dec 2013
Indicators of Child Deprivation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Levels and Trends from the Demographic and Health SurveysAccess to basic human needs is essential to the development of children’s full potential.
Topics: Child Health and Development
Jun 2011
Levels and Trends in the Use of Maternal Health Services in Developing CountriesThis study aims to contribute to the understanding of use of key maternal health services in the past two decades in developing countries.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Infant and Child Mortality, Maternal Health, Maternal Mortality
Dec 2008
An Assessment of the Quality of Data on Health and Nutrition in the DHS Surveys, 1993-2003The purpose of this methodological report is to provide an overview of the quality of the maternal and child health data collected during DHS III and MEASURE DHS+.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Maternal Health, Nutrition