Evolution of the Demographic and Health Survey Questionnaire for Collecting Data on Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths

Joseph W. Akuze, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Simon Cousens, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Joy Lawn, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Peter Waiswa, Makerere University School of Public Health
Vladimir Goordeev, Oueen Mary University of London
Angela Baschieri, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Ethiopia
Hannah Blencowe, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Aim We reviewed how the DHS survey questionnaire has evolved to improve collection of data on stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Methods We did a literature and programme review of the DHS surveys, protocols, methodological reports and questionnaires, focusing on collection of data on stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Results The DHS programme is in its 7th phase with over 320 surveys conducted in 90 countries since 1984. Two types of maternity history are used, the Full Pregnancy History (FPH) and the Full Birth History (FBH). FBH collects information on all pregnancies that resulted in a live birth, the vital status of the child and if dead, the age at death. In phase-7 it has additional questions about stillbirths and pregnancy losses. FPH collects information on all pregnancies. FPH has been implemented by only 17 countries in the DHS programme. Major changes, including addition of new questions, happened in phases V-VII.