National and Family Health Surveys (NFHS)

Objectives

• Large-scale survey on reproductive health
• Provides estimates on health and demographic behaviour at state level

Dates

• NFHS 1 in 1992-93
• NFHS 2 in 1998-99
• NFHS 3 in 2005-06

Organization and management

• IIPS, Mumbai, is the coordinating agency (with USAID, ORC Macro, East-West Center)
• State surveys conducted by Population Research Centres, private organizations etc.
• Enumeration conducted by temporary employees after intensive training

Sampling

• Conducted at individual, household (and community) level.
• Sample size for NFHS 2: 89199 women, 91196 households in all states

Publication scale

• Data published at state level (with rural/urban differentials)
• Volume: one volume per state. Additional studies also available

Publication

• Paper format: regional and national volumes (tables, analysis) and special analyses
• Electronic format: most reports available on the web (PDF format)
• Raw data: available on CD (can also be downloaded from the web)

Topics covered

• Reproductive health: nuptiality, fertility, family planning, maternal and natal care, aids awareness, nutrition, etc.

Website

• www.nfhsindia.org/ (all published reports)
• www.measuredhs.com/ (access to raw data)

Assessment

• the major source on health and demographic behaviour at the individual and regional level. Provides more information than any other demographic survey
• State reports published and available for download
• Raw data available for further research

Limitations

• Data published only at state level (or substate units), but not available for districts or cities
• Data quality varies
• geographical information is still sparse

New features

• NFHS 2 made available in less than 2 years

NFHS 3 covers quite a lot of new ground (including aids)