The 1998 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS-98) is a nationally representative sample survey designed to provide information on fertility levels and trends, infant and child mortality, family planning, and maternal and child health. Survey results are presented at the national level, by urban and rural residence and for each of the five regions in the country. The survey was fielded between August and November 1998. Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies (HIPS) carried out the TDHS-98 in collaboration with the General Directorate of Mother and Child Health and Family Planning, Ministry of Health. Funding for the TDHS-98 was provided both by the U.S. Agency for International Development through the MEASURE/DHS+ program and United Nations Population Fund. Interviews were carried out in 8,059 households, with 8,576 women, and with 1,971 husbands. All women at ages 15-49 who were present in the household on the night before the interview or who generally live in that household were eligible for the survey. In half of the selected households for women interview, husbands (of currently married eligible women), who were present in the household on the night before the interview or who generally live in that particular household were eligible husbands for the survey. The 1998 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS-98) is the latest in a series of national- level population and health surveys that have been conducted during the last thirty years in Turkey. The primary objective of the TDHS-98 is to provide data on fertility and mortality, family planning, materaal and child health, and reproductive health. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from a sample of women in the reproductive ages (15-49) and from fl~e husbands of cun'ently married eligible women. More specifically, the objectives of the TDHS were to: Collect data at the national level that allow the calculation of demographic rates, particularly fertility and childhood mortality rates; Obtain information on direct and indirect factors that determine levels and trends in fertility and childhood mortality; Measure the level of contraceptive knowledge and practice by method, region, and urban- rural residence; Collect data on mother and child health, including innnunisations, prevalence and treatment of diarrhoea among children under five, antenatal care, assistance at delivery, and breastfeeding; Measure the nutritional status of children under five and of their mothers using anthropometric measurements.
