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 2014
Use of Family Planning in the Postpartum PeriodThis report used reproductive calendar data from 43 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) representing 61 percent of the developing world’s population (excluding China) to examine the use of family planning in the postpartum period.
Topics: Family Planning, Maternal Health
Feb 2014
Unmet Need for Family Planning among Young Women: Levels and TrendsYoung women may disproportionately experience unmet need for family planning for a variety of reasons.
Topics: Family Planning, Fertility and Fertility Preferences, Youth
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
Trends in Marriage and Contraception in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Longitudinal Perspective on Factors of Fertility DeclineThe study presents an analysis of the relationships between trends in age at marriage, trends in contraceptive use and fertility trends in 33 sub-Saharan African countries.
Topics: Family Planning, Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Sep 2013
Determinants of the Duration of Birth Intervals in Tanzania: Regional Contrasts and Temporal TrendsThe duration of birth intervals has received attention in demography and public health research because of its implication for fertility and for maternal and child health.
Topics: Family Planning
Sep 2013
Contextual Influences of Modern Contraceptive Use among Rural Women in Rwanda and NepalThis study takes a multilevel approach to identify determinants of women’s use of modern contraceptives in Nepal and Rwanda.
Topics: Family Planning
Jul 2013
Costing the Standard Days MethodThe Standard Days Method (SDM) has been part of the family planning modern method mix for over a decade, and countries are gradually incorporating SDM into national family planning norms, policies, and programs.
Topics: Family Planning
Sep 2012
Unmet Need for Modern Contraceptive MethodsThe main objective of this report is to document current levels and trends since 1990 in the unmet need for modern family planning methods with an emphasis on analysis of the covariates of unmet need.
Topics: Family Planning
Sep 2012
Integration of HIV and Family Planning Health Services in Sub-Saharan AfricaThis report provides a review of the current literature on integration of HIV-related services with other areas of service delivery that have important synergies with HIV services.
Topics: Family Planning, HIV/AIDS
Apr 2012
How Family Planning Supply and the Service Environment Affect Contraceptive Use: Findings from Four East African CountriesBy linking Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) and Service Provision Assessment (SPA) surveys, this study measures the extent to which women’s contraceptive use is associated with regional facility-based family planning supply and service environment in four African countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Topics: Family Planning