The Yemen Demographic and Maternal and Child Health Survey (YDMCHS) is the first national survey conducted in Yemen since unification of the country. It was designed to collect data on households, ever-married women of reproductive age, and children under age five. The subjects covered in the household survey were: characteristics of households, housing and living conditions, school enrollment, labor force participation, general mortality, disability, fertility, and child survival. The areas covered in the survey of women of reproductive age were: demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, marriage and reproductive history, fertility regulation and preferences, antenatal care, breastfeeding, and child care. For children under five in the survey, the topics included diarrheal and other morbidity, nutritional supplementation, accidents, vaccination, and nutritional status. The survey was carried out as a part of the DHS program and also the PAPCHILD program. The DHS program is assisting governments and private agencies in the implementation of household surveys in developing countries; PAPCHILD has similar goals for developing countries in the Arab League. The main objectives of the DHS project are to: (a) provide decision makers with a data base and analyses useful for informed policy choices, (b) expand the international population and health data base, (c) advance survey methodology, and (d) develop skills and resources necessary to conduct high quality demographic and health surveys in the participating countries. The YDMCHS was specifically aimed at furnishing information on basic population and household characteristics, maternal and child health, fertility, family planning, and infant and child mortality in Yemen. The survey also presents information on breastfeeding practices and the nutritional status of children under age five. The survey will provide policymakers and planners with important information for use in formulating programs and policies regarding maternal and child health, child mortality, and reproductive behavior.
