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
May 2001
Gap Between Preferred and Actual Birth Intervals in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Fertility and Child HealthUsing Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data from 20 Sub-Saharan countries, this article compares women’s actual lengths of birth intervals to preferred lengths and assesses the implications of the difference for selected demographic and health indicators.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
May 1999
Mass Media and Reproductive Behavior in Pakistan, India and BangladeshThe central question addressed in this research is whether regular exposure to mass media, especially to radio and television, influences family planning attitudes and behavior.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Aug 1998
Fertility Levels, Trends and DifferentialsThis study examines patterns and trends in fertility utilizing national surveys from 28 developing countries.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Jul 1998
Change in the Desired Number of Children: A Cross-Country Cohort Analysis of Levels and Correlates of ChangeChange in a woman's desired number of children is held to be a key determinant in the demand for family planning and the decline in fertility rates.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Jun 1998
Unintended Childbearing in Developing Countries: Levels, Trends, and DeterminantsThe objective of this report is to use large-scale, cross-nationally comparable survey data to study the levels, trends, and determinants of unintended fertility in developing countries.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Sep 1997
Components of Unexpected Fertility Decline in Sub-Saharan AfricaThe statistical relationship derived from a linear regression of contraceptive prevalence on the total fertility rate indicates that an increase of 15 percentage points in contraceptive prevalence among married women is associated with a decline of about one child in the total fertility rate.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Aug 1997
Gender Preferences for ChildrenParental preferences for daughters or sons exhibit a wide variety of patterns throughout the world.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences, Gender
Apr 1997
Mass Media and Reproductive Behavior in AfricaThis report analyses the impact of mass media on the fertility transition as mass media messages often compete with traditional notions of early child bearing and large families.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Dec 1995
Childbearing Attitudes and IntentionsBased on national surveys in 28 developing countries, this study examines women's statements on their ideal family size, whether they desire more children, and if so, how long they would prefer to wait before the next birth.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences
Jun 1994
Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Health Indicators for Subnational AreasThis report, which covers the results from surveys completed in the first phase of the DHS program (DHS I), compiles statistics on demographic, maternal and child health, and socioeconomic indicators for urban and rural areas by subnational region.
Topics: Fertility and Fertility Preferences, Household and Respondent Characteristics, Wealth/Socioeconomics