Write your paper based on Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data on reproductive and child health

Algemeen

Rationale

The DHS is a rich and important source of data in LMICs, but are severely underused by researchers and policy-makers in these countries. This course aims to build the capacity to conduct quantitative analysis on the DHS data focusing on researchers within countries, and contribute to expanding the country-level capacity to further impart such skills. Having this capacity within LMICs will help raise and answer questions that are relevant to their particular setting.

Objective

The purpose of this course is to support researchers in analyzing DHS data, focusing on sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. Every participant is expected to pursue their key analysis idea and conduct data analysis under the guidance of the course coaches. Participants are exposed to the topics and questions of others in the course to expand their insights. The objective is to have an advanced draft of a publishable research paper by the end of the course, and to submit the manuscript to a scientific journal within a month of course completion.

Target participants

This course is primarily, but not exclusively, aimed at junior to mid-level health researchers from LMICs, including Masters-level graduates and PhD students, interested in understanding and using DHS data. Participants must have a good command of a statistical software package (we can support users of STATA, R and SPSS) and working knowledge in statistics commensurate with the proposed analysis plan.

Course organizer and coaches

The course is organized by Dr. Lenka Benova. During the online phase and at the face-to-face week, participants are able to discuss analysis strategies and statistical approaches with the ITM statistician if needed. All participants will be assigned a coach based on the thematic focus of the participants’ research, who will help guide them during the online phase. Some coaches will also be available during the face-to-face week. All coaches are quantitative health researchers with extensive knowledge of DHS surveys and the field of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, adolescent and child health. A maximum of two course participants per coach are envisioned.