Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018
Bangladesh, 2017 - 2018
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BGD_2017_DHS_v01_M
Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | BGD |
Demographic and Health Survey (Standard) - DHS VII
The 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (2017-18 BDHS) is the eighth national survey to report on the demographic and health status of women and children.
The 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (2017-18 BDHS) is a nationwide survey with a nationally representative sample of approximately 20,250 selected households. All ever-married women age 15-49 who are usual members of the selected households or who spent the night before the survey in the selected households were eligible for individual interviews. The survey was designed to produce reliable estimates for key indicators at the national level as well as for urban and rural areas and each of the country’s eight divisions: Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet.
The main objective of the 2017-18 BDHS is to provide up-to-date information on fertility and fertility preferences; childhood mortality levels and causes of death; awareness, approval, and use of family planning methods; maternal and child health, including breastfeeding practices and nutritional status; newborn care; women’s empowerment; selected noncommunicable diseases (NCDS); and availability and accessibility of health and family planning services at the community level.
This information is intended to assist policymakers and program managers in monitoring and evaluating the 4th Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Program (4th HPNSP) 2017-2022 of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and to provide estimates for 14 major indicators of the HPNSP Results Framework (MOHFW 2017).
Sample survey data [ssd]
- Household
- Individual
- Children age 0-5
- Woman age 15-49
- Community
Version
The data dictionary was generated from hierarchical data that was downloaded from the The DHS Program website (http://dhsprogram.com).
Scope
The 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey covered the following topics:
HOUSEHOLD
• Identification
• Usual members and visitors in the selected households
• Background information on each person listed, such as relationship to head of the household, age, sex, marital status, ever attended school, current/ recent school attendance, current work status, and birth registration.
• Characteristics of the household's dwelling unit, such as the source of water, type of toilet facilities, type of fuel used for cooking, number of rooms, ownership of livestock, possessions of durable goods, and main material for the floor, roof and walls of the dwelling.
INDIVIDUAL WOMAN
• Identification
• Background characteristics (for example, age, education, religion, and media exposure)
• Reproductive history
• Use and source of family planning methods
• Antenatal, delivery, postnatal, and newborn care and breastfeeding
• Child immunizations
• Infant feeding practices and illness
• Marriage and sexual activities
• Fertility preferences
• Husbands’ background characteristics and women’s work
BIOMARKER
• Identification
• Weight and height measurement for children age 0-5
• Weight and height measurement for ever-women age 15-49
• Blood pressure and blood glucose for all women age 18 and older in selected households
• Blood pressure and blood glucose for all men age 18 and older in selected households
VERBAL AUTOPSY FORM 1 FOR NEONATAL DEATH
• Identification
• Basic information about respondent
• Information on the deceased and date/place of death
• Respondent's account of illness / events leading to death
• Pregnancy history
• Delivery history
• Condition of the baby soon after birth
• History of injuries / accidents
• Neonatal illness history
• Mother's health and contextual factors
• Treatment and health service use for the final illness
• Data abstracted from birth and death certificates
• Data abstracted from other health records
VERBAL AUTOPSY FORM 2 DEATH OF CHILD AGED 4 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS
• Identification
• Basic information about respondent
• Information on the deceased and date/place of death
• Respondent's account of illness / events leading to death
• History of previously known medical conditions
• History of injuries / accidents
• Symptoms and signs noted during the final illness of infants
• Status of mother and symptoms noted during the final illness for all children
• Treatment and health service use for the final illness
• Data abstracted from birth and death certificates
• Data abstracted from other health records
COMMUNITY
• Identification
• Community information
• Identification of health facilities
• List of the health, family planning and nutrition workers
• List depot-holders
• Availability of doctors (allopathic, homeopathic) and pharmacies
• List of doctors
FIELDWORKER
• Background information on each fieldworker
Coverage
National coverage
The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women aged 15-49 and all children aged 0-5 resident in the household.
Producers and sponsors
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) | Government of Bangladesh |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| ICF | The DHS Program | Provided technical assistance |
| International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh | Provided technical assistance on verbal autopsies to determine the causes of under-5 deaths | |
| Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics | Government of Bangladesh | Provided technical guidance in finalizing the sampling design |
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Government of Bangladesh | Financial support |
| United States Agency for International Development | Financial support |
Sampling
The sample for the 2017-18 BDHS is nationally representative and covers the entire population residing in non-institutional dwelling units in the country. The survey used a list of enumeration areas (EAs) from the 2011 Population and Housing Census of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, provided by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), as a sampling frame (BBS 2011). The primary sampling unit (PSU) of the survey is an EA with an average of about 120 households.
Bangladesh consists of eight administrative divisions: Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet. Each division is divided into zilas and each zila into upazilas. Each urban area in an upazila is divided into wards, which are further subdivided into mohallas. A rural area in an upazila is divided into union parishads (UPs) and, within UPs, into mouzas. These divisions allow the country as a whole to be separated into rural and urban areas.
The survey is based on a two-stage stratified sample of households. In the first stage, 675 EAs (250 in urban areas and 425 in rural areas) were selected with probability proportional to EA size. The sample in that stage was drawn by BBS, following the specifications provided by ICF that include cluster allocation and instructions on sample selection. A complete household listing operation was then carried out in all selected EAs to provide a sampling frame for the second-stage selection of households. In the second stage of sampling, a systematic sample of an average of 30 households per EA was selected to provide
statistically reliable estimates of key demographic and health variables for the country as a whole, for urban and rural areas separately, and for each of the eight divisions. Based on this design, 20,250 residential households were selected. Completed interviews were expected from about 20,100 ever-married women age 15-49. In addition, in a subsample of one-fourth of the households (about 7-8 households per EA), all ever-married women age 50 and older, never-married women age 18 and older, and men age 18 and older were weighed and had their height measured. In the same households, blood pressure and blood glucose testing were conducted for all adult men and women age 18 and older.
The survey was successfully carried out in 672 clusters after elimination of three clusters (one urban and two rural) that were completely eroded by floodwater. These clusters were in Dhaka (one urban cluster), Rajshahi (one rural cluster), and Rangpur (one rural cluster). A total of 20,160 households were selected
for the survey.
For further details on sample selection, see Appendix A of the final report.
Among the 20,160 households selected, 19,584 were occupied. Interviews were successfully completed in 19,457 (99%) of the occupied households. Among the 20,376 ever-married women age 15-49 eligible for interviews, 20,127 were interviewed, yielding a response rate of 99%. The principal reason for non-response among women was their absence from home despite repeated visits. Response rates did not vary notably by urbanrural residence.
Due to the non-proportional allocation of the sample to different divisions and their urban and rural areas and the possible differences in response rates, sampling weights will be required for any analysis using the 2017-18 BDHS data to ensure the actual representativeness of the survey results at the national level and as well as the domain level. Since the 2017-18 BDHS sample was a two-stage stratified cluster sample, sampling weights were calculated based on sampling probabilities separately for each sampling stage and for each cluster.
For further details on sampling weights, see Appendix A.4 of the final report.
Survey instrument
The 2017-18 BDHS used six types of questionnaires: (1) the Household Questionnaire, (2) the Woman’s Questionnaire (completed by ever-married women age 15-49), (3) the Biomarker Questionnaire, (4) two verbal autopsy questionnaires to collect data on causes of death among children under age 5, (5) the Community Questionnaire, and the Fieldworker Questionnaire. The first three questionnaires were based on the model questionnaires developed for the DHS-7 Program, adapted to the situation and needs in Bangladesh and taking into account the content of the instruments employed in prior BDHS surveys. The verbal autopsy module was replicated from the questionnaires used in the 2011 BDHS, as the objectives of the 2011 BDHS and the 2017-18 BDHS were the same. The module was adapted from the standardized WHO 2016 verbal autopsy module. The Community Questionnaire was adapted from the version used in the 2014 BDHS. The adaptation process for the 2017-18 BDHS involved a series of meetings with a technical working group. Additionally, draft questionnaires were circulated to other interested groups and were reviewed by the TWG and SAC. The questionnaires were developed in English and then translated into and printed in Bangla. Back translations were conducted by people not involved with the Bangla translations.
Data collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2017-10-24 | 2018-03-15 |
| Name |
|---|
| Mitra and Associates |
The household listing operation was carried out in all selected EAs from September 27 to December 5, 2017, in three phases. Each phase was about 4 weeks in duration. Twenty-six teams of two persons each carried out the listing of households and administered the Community Questionnaire. In addition, six supervisors checked and verified the work of the listing teams. The number of teams declined with each subsequent phase, starting with 26 teams in the first phase and ending with 24 teams in the final phase. Fieldwork for the main survey was carried out by several interviewing teams, with each team consisting of one male supervisor, one female field editor, five female interviewers, two health technicians, and one logistics staff person. Data collection occurred in five phases, each about 4 weeks in duration. Data collection started on October 24, 2017 and was completed on March 15, 2018. The number of teams declined with each subsequent phase, starting with 20 teams in the first phase and ending with 17 teams at the completion of data collection.
Several activities involved the use of data quality measures. Four quality control teams from Mitra and Associates, each with one male and one female staff person, traveled to the field to visit the interviewing teams throughout the data collection period. In addition, NIPORT monitored fieldwork by using extra quality control teams. The teams went into the field in tours of about 3 weeks in each phase. They oversaw use of the household listings and mapping, observed one household and one individual interview conducted by each interviewer, and spot-checked completed questionnaires. The teams also revisited half of the households from one completed cluster for each survey team and checked whether selected households were visited, and eligible respondents were properly identified and interviewed. At the end of each phase, a debriefing session was held to address problems encountered in the field, clarifications, and administrative matters. Field check tables, generated on a weekly basis by the data processing specialist, allowed the quality control teams to advise field teams of problems detected during data entry. Fieldwork was also monitored through visits by representatives from ICF, NIPORT, and MOHFW as well as other Technical Review Committee members.
Data processing
Completed BDHS questionnaires were returned to Dhaka every 2 weeks for data processing at Mitra and Associates offices. Data processing began shortly after fieldwork commenced and consisted of office editing, coding of open-ended questions, data entry, and editing of inconsistencies found by the computer program. The field teams were alerted regarding any inconsistencies or errors found during data processing. Eight data entry operators and two data entry supervisors performed the work, which commenced on November 17, 2017, and ended on March 27, 2018. Data processing was accomplished using Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro) software, jointly developed by the United States Census
Bureau, ICF, and Serpro S.A.
Data appraisal
The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: nonsampling errors and sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) to minimize this type of error, nonsampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.
Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2017-18 BDHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and expected size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability among all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.
Sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus or minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95% of all possible samples of identical size and design.
If the sample of respondents had been selected as a simple random sample, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the 2017-18 BDHS sample is the result of a multi-stage stratified design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use more complex formulas. Sampling errors are computed in SAS, using programs developed by ICF. These programs use the Taylor linearization method to estimate variances for survey estimates that are means, proportions, or ratios. The Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility and mortality rates.
Note: A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in APPENDIX B of the survey report.
Data Quality Tables
- Household age distribution
- Age distribution of eligible and interviewed women
- Completeness of reporting
- Births by calendar years
- Reporting of age at death in days
- Reporting of age at death in months
- Height and weight data completeness and quality for children
See details of the data quality tables in Appendix C of the final report.
Data Access
| Name | URL | |
|---|---|---|
| The DHS Program | http://www.DHSprogram.com | archive@dhsprogram.com |
Request Dataset Access
The following applies to DHS, MIS, AIS and SPA survey datasets (Surveys, GPS, and HIV).
To request dataset access, you must first be a registered user of the website. You must then create a new research project request. The request must include a project title and a description of the analysis you propose to perform with the data.
The requested data should only be used for the purpose of the research or study. To request the same or different data for another purpose, a new research project request should be submitted. The DHS Program will normally review all data requests within 24 hours (Monday - Friday) and provide notification if access has been granted or additional project information is needed before access can be granted.
DATASET ACCESS APPROVAL PROCESS
Access to DHS, MIS, AIS and SPA survey datasets (Surveys, HIV, and GPS) is requested and granted by country. This means that when approved, full access is granted to all unrestricted survey datasets for that country. Access to HIV and GIS datasets requires an online acknowledgment of the conditions of use.
Required Information
A dataset request must include contact information, a research project title, and a description of the analysis you propose to perform with the data.
Restricted Datasets
A few datasets are restricted and these are noted. Access to restricted datasets is requested online as with other datasets. An additional consent form is required for some datasets, and the form will be emailed to you upon authorization of your account. For other restricted surveys, permission must be granted by the appropriate implementing organizations, before The DHS Program can grant access. You will be emailed the information for contacting the implementing organizations. A few restricted surveys are authorized directly within The DHS Program, upon receipt of an email request.
When The DHS Program receives authorization from the appropriate organizations, the user will be contacted, and the datasets made available by secure FTP.
GPS/HIV Datasets/Other Biomarkers
Because of the sensitive nature of GPS, HIV and other biomarkers datasets, permission to access these datasets requires that you accept a Terms of Use Statement. After selecting GPS/HIV/Other Biomarkers datasets, the user is presented with a consent form which should be signed electronically by entering the password for the user's account.
Dataset Terms of Use
Once downloaded, the datasets must not be passed on to other researchers without the written consent of The DHS Program. All reports and publications based on the requested data must be sent to The DHS Program Data Archive in a Portable Document Format (pdf) or a printed hard copy.
Download Datasets
Datasets are made available for download by survey. You will be presented with a list of surveys for which you have been granted dataset access. After selecting a survey, a list of all available datasets for that survey will be displayed, including all survey, GPS, and HIV data files. However, only data types for which you have been granted access will be accessible. To download, simply click on the files that you wish to download and a "File Download" prompt will guide you through the remaining steps.
Use of the dataset must be acknowledged using a citation which would include:
- the Identification of the Primary Investigator
- the title of the survey (including country, acronym and year of implementation)
- the survey reference number
- the source and date of download
Disclaimer and copyrights
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Information about The DHS Program | The DHS Program | reports@DHSprogram.com |
| General Inquiries | The DHS Program | info@dhsprogram.com |
| Data and Data Related Resources | The DHS Program | archive@dhsprogram.com |
Metadata production
DDI_BGD_2017_DHS_v01_M
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Development Economics Data Group | The World Bank | Documentation of the DDI |
2020-12-22
Metadata version
Version 01 (December 2020). Metadata is excerpted from " Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018" Report.