Demographic and health surveys, phase III : model "A" questionnaire with commentary for high contraceptive prevalence countries

Two model questionnaires were developed for DHS-III: an "A" questionnaire for countries with high contraceptive prevalence (described in this document), and a "B" questionnaire for countries with low contraceptive prevalence. Except for the use of a calendar and greater detail on contraception in the "A" questionnaire, the two versions are essentially the same, but countries are encouraged to add questions on topics of special interest. The primary focus remains the collection of information of interest to policy makers and program managers. This includes data for (1) estimating levels of fertility and infant and child mortality; (2) estimating durations of breastfeeding and other proximate determinants of fertility; (3) measuring contraceptive knowledge and use, contraceptive availability and acceptability, effectiveness of methods, and discontinuation rates; (4) assessing unmet need for family planning; (5) identifying reasons for nonuse of contraception and measuring levels of unwanted fertility; (6) measuring preferences for additional children; (7) measuring the prevalence of childhood diseases and assessing treatment patterns; (8) estimating coverage rates for maternity care and childhood vaccinations; (9) assessing nutritional status of women and children; and (10) assessing infant feeding practices. The DHS-III questionnaires include questions about pill brand identification and exposure to mass media -- topics of interest to organizations involved in social marketing. They also add questions about knowledge and perception of and behavioral response to AIDS, and perceptions about the contraceptive efficacy of breastfeeding. The section on women"s employment was also expanded. As in phases I and II, significant attention is devoted to child health. Health indicators included in this version of the DHS questionnaire are: source of drinking water, type of toilet facilities, prenatal care, assistance at delivery, birth weight, tetanus toxoid immunization, immunization of children under three, infant feeding practices, prevalence of diarrhea, fever, and respiratory disease, and treatment of these diseases. The questionnaires also provide for the measurement of height and weight of women who have given birth in the 3 years prior to the survey and their surviving children (under age 3) as indicators of nutritional status. The inclusion of health topics permits the linking of health and demographic variables, e.g., the analysis of the relationship between the length of birth intervals and the height and weight of young children. (Author abstract, modified)