Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys

Update on MICS3, Plans for MICS4

Attila Hanciogluahancioglu@unicef.org

Health Metrics Network Meeting, Calverton, 10-11 July 2007

Multiple Indicator Cluster SurveysMultiple Indicator Cluster Surveys

Objective: to support countries in filling data gaps to monitor progress towards international goals and targets

MICS1 – 1995 – 65 surveys (WSC Mid-decade goals)MICS2 – 2000 – 67 surveys (WSC End-decade goals)MICS3 – 2005-2007 – 56 surveys

World Fit For Children Goals, MDGs, UNGASS, Abuja targets

MICS3 ContentMICS3 Content

101 indicators, 21 MDGs measuredWFFC Goals in Healthy Lives,

Education, HIV/AIDS, Child Protection

MICS3 – Topics/ModulesMICS3 – Topics/Modules

Child mortalityNutritional

statusBreastfeedingSalt iodizationVitamin ABirth weightImmunizationTetanus ToxoidORTPneumonia

Solid fuel useMalariaWater – sanitationSecurity of tenureContraceptionAntenatal careDelivery careMaternal mortalityChild

developmentEducation –

literacyBirth registration

Child labourChild disciplineEarly marriagePolygynyFGMDomestic violenceDisabilityHIV/AIDS

knowledgeSexual behaviourOVC

Core additional optional

MICS3 Survey ToolsMICS3 Survey Tools

Household, Women’s (15-49) and Under-5s (mothers/caretakers) questionnaires

Additional and Optional modules can be added

Weight and Height measurements for under-5s

Salt testingGPS in 10 countries

Largely harmonized with DHSInteragency work to develop indicators and

modules

MICS3 In NumbersMICS3 In Numbers

56 surveys – 2005 (10), 2006 (38), 2007 (8)

Collaboration with other survey programs (DHS, PAPFAM), but the majority of survey are stand-alone MICS

Surveys mainly funded by UNICEF and governments, but significant funding support from other agencies at country level

MICS3 In NumbersMICS3 In Numbers

MICS3 surveys by region13 West Africa4 East Africa13 Eastern Europe/CIS7 Americas (Caribbean)5 East Asia/Pacific12 Middle East/North Africa2 South Asia

MICS3 FeaturesMICS3 Features

National surveys, urban-rural and regional reporting domains, some surveys reporting at district, provincial, governorate level

Stratified cluster samplingCarried out by NSOs, with support from

UNICEFLimited technical in-country support

Bangladesh

62000

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000 55000 60000 65000

BelizeMontenegroMacedonia

JamaicaDjiboutiGuyana

TurkmenistanAlbania

Kyrgyzstan Ukraine

Guinea BissauBurkina Faso

Bosnia & Herzegovia Trinidad & Tobago

Sao Tome & Principe SurinameLao PDR

GhanaSomaliaGambia

MongoliaPalest. Camps Lebanon

TogoTajikistan

BelarusSierra LeoneCote d' Ivorie

NigerPalest. Camps Syria

BurundiCuba

VietnamTunisia

SerbiaCameroon

Uzbekistan Dominican Rep.

Central African Rep. Georgia

KazakhstanIraq

SyriaSudan

AlgeriaMalawi

ThailandBangladesh

Number of Interviewed Households

Bangladesh62463

Belize 1832

Median: 6684

MICS3 FeaturesMICS3 Features

Increased standardization across countries

More emphasis on data quality checks, sampling errors, dissemination

Use of IHSN toolkit for archivingTransfer of MICS results to Dev-Info

MICS3 Survey ProcessMICS3 Survey Process

Survey tools developed at HQ level, including the MICS manual

Assessment of data needs at all three levels of UNICEF – HQ, ROs, COs with Governments

Workshop 1: Survey designDevelopment of customized surveys at

country level

MICS3 Survey Process (cont.)MICS3 Survey Process (cont.)

Workshop 2: Data processingData collection and processingWorkshop 3: Data analysis and

report writingAnalysis and report writingWorkshop 4: Data archiving and

disseminationPublication

MICS3 – Assistance by UNICEFMICS3 – Assistance by UNICEF

Dependence on capacity at country level – both government and UNICEF

HQ – develop survey tools, survey manuals and guidelines, protocols, coordination, workshops, provision of feedback

RO – coordinate at regional level, organize workshops (regional coordinators - PAPFAM)

CO – follow up at country level, provision of feedback

MICS3 – Assistance by UNICEFMICS3 – Assistance by UNICEF

Government – customization, implementation, reporting

The system takes advantage of the strong presence of UNICEF at country level

User friendly survey documentationGovernment ownership

MICS3 Current statusMICS3 Current status

Data sets available to UNICEF for the majority of countries

Review of data sets, tabulations, reports in progress

Analysis of data for WFFC report in progressMajority of final reports to be available by

end of August – early September (median – 14

months after completion of data collection)Micro data to be available by end 2007

After publication of final reports, de-personalization, documentation, archiving

Challenges - IssuesChallenges - Issues

Focus on WSC in MICS1 and MICS2, large number of indicators and modules, several international commitments (inc WFFC, MDGs, UNGASS…too much to do?

Capacity problems, competing priorities at UNICEF COs and governments

Lack of in-country technical supportDelays in analysis and report writingVariable data quality

Trend In Under-5 Mortality Rates[Country: West Africa]

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Per

100

0

Census 1973 Census 1983 Census 1993 MICS 2000 MICS 2005 Census 2003

Malawi MICS and DHS Mortality Estimates

MICS4MICS4

Increased periodicity of MICSUNICEF will be prepared to provide

support at more frequent intervalsMICS4 surveys in 2009-2010Advocate increased periodicity for

high-mortality countries, together with detailed assessment of data gaps and interventions

MICS4MICS4

Low-mortality, transition countries – development of region-specific modules

Include new modules, collect information previously unavailable, alternate modules

Less influenced by staff turnovers, government changes, continuity, towards eventual inclusion of child-related topics in national household surveys

MICS4MICS4

Increase periodicity and improve data quality at the same time

Challenged capacity, technical issues re measurement at frequent intervals, coordination with other survey programs

Initial stages of planning, synchronized with UNICEF’s planning - funding cycles

Improvements in human resources, at HQ, RO levels – for MICS4 and monitoring in general

Increased fundingBetter network of technical assistance, including the

use of technical experts for in-country support

MICS4MICS4

Increase periodicity and improve data quality at the same time

Challenged capacity, technical issues re measurement at frequent intervals, coordination with other survey programs

Initial stages of planning, synchronized with UNICEF’s planning - funding cycles

Improvements in human resources, at HQ, RO levels – for MICS4 and monitoring in general

Increased fundingBetter network of technical assistance, including the

use of technical experts for in-country support

www.childinfo.org