Demographic and Health Surveys

Abstract

The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) is a 15-year project to assist government and private agencies in developing countries to conduct national sample surveys on population and maternal and child health. Funded primarily by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), DHS is administered by Macro International Inc. in Calverton, Maryland. The main objectives of the DHS program are (1) to promote widespread dissemination and use of DHS data among policymakers, (2) to expand the international population and health database, (3) to advance survey methodology, and (4) to develop in participating countries the skills and resources necessary to conduct high-quality demographic and health surveys.