Journal Articles
Search our database of 1000's of peer-reviewed journal articles that feature DHS data.
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 2020
Geospatial Covariates: Proxies for Mapping Urban-Related IndicatorsThe enumeration areas selected by The DHS Program are classified as either rural or urban.
Topics: Geographic Information
Aug 2020
Variations in Health Outcomes with Alternative Measures of Urbanicity, Using Demographic and Health Surveys 2013-18The literature has firmly established the link between urban/rural place of residence and health indicators, and the association of poor health outcomes and health services in rural areas.
Topics: Child Health and Development, Family Planning, Geographic Information, Maternal Health, Nutrition, Wealth/Socioeconomics
Mar 2020
Predicting HIV/AIDS at Subnational Levels using DHS Covariates related to HIVAccelerating the scale-up of HIV prevention and treatment approaches will limit the epidemic to more manageable levels and enable countries to move toward the elimination phase.
Topics: Geographic Information
Sep 2019
Interpolation of DHS Survey Data at Subnational Administrative Level 2Over the last several years and within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, there has been a need to improve the measurement and understanding of local geographic patterns to support more decentralized decision-making and more efficient program implementation.
Topics: Geographic Information
Jul 2019
Trends, Inequalities, and Contextual Determinants of Child Marriage in AsiaChild marriage—defined as marriage before age 18—is considered to be a violation of human rights and is associated with numerous adverse health, social, and economic outcomes.
Topics: Gender, Geographic Information, Youth
Aug 2018
The Association of Deforestation and Other Environmental Factors with Child Health and MortalityThis report uses data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean to study the associations between environmental variables and child health outcomes, including child mortality.
Topics: Anemia, Child Health and Development, Geographic Information, Infant and Child Mortality, Malaria, Nutrition
Aug 2018
Effective Coverage of Facility Delivery in Bangladesh, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal, and TanzaniaThis report uses data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Service Provision Assessments (SPA) to estimate effective coverage of health facility delivery in Bangladesh, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal, and Tanzania—the six countries with both an SPA and a DHS survey occurring within two years of each other.
Topics: Geographic Information, Maternal Health
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
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