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 2021
Guidance and Recommendations for the Use of Indicator Estimates at Subnational Administrative Level 2The Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) are designed to provide reliable estimates of survey indicators primarily at the national level, as well as the first subnational administrative level.
Topics: Geographic Information
Sep 2021
Spatial Modeling for Subnational Administrative Level 2 Small-Area EstimationSubnational estimates of the health and demographic indicators recorded in the Demographic and Health Surveys Program are of great importance for prioritizing resources and assessing if target levels for indicators are being attained.
Topics: Geographic Information
Sep 2021
Supplementary Appendices: Supplementary Information for Spatial Modeling for Subnational Administrative Level 2 Small-Area EstimationSpatial Analysis combines the detailed geographic data collected in the DHS surveys with other DHS or 3rd party data to provide geographic analysis of key demographic and health topics..
Topics: Geographic Information
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
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
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