The Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) was a nationally representative sample survey designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. The primary goal of the survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data, the first such data set pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the DHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz level. The ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia during October through December 2000. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS+ project. MEASURE DHS+ is a worldwide project, sponsored by the USAID, with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia provided support through the donation of equipment. The ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits. The ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

The 2005 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (2005 ADHS) is the second in a series of nationally representative sample surveys designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. As in the 2000 ADHS, the primary goal of the 2005 survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the 2005 ADHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz (region) level. The 2005 ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service (NSS) and the MOH of the Republic of Armenia from September through December 2005. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS project. MEASURE DHS is a worldwide project, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey, while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)/Armenia supported the survey through in-kind contributions. The 2005 ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits. The 2005 ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The 2005 ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

The Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) was a nationally representative sample survey designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. The primary goal of the survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data, the first such data set pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the DHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz level.The ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia during October through December 2000. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS+ project. MEASURE DHS+ is a worldwide project, sponsored by the USAID, with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia provided support through the donation of equipment.The ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits.The ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

The 2005 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (2005 ADHS) is the second in a series of nationally representative sample surveys designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. As in the 2000 ADHS, the primary goal of the 2005 survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the 2005 ADHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz (region) level.The 2005 ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service (NSS) and the MOH of the Republic of Armenia from September through December 2005. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS project. MEASURE DHS is a worldwide project, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey, while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)/Armenia supported the survey through in-kind contributions.The 2005 ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits.The 2005 ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The 2005 ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

The 2005 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (2005 ADHS) is the second in a series of nationally representative sample surveys designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. As in the 2000 ADHS, the primary goal of the 2005 survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the 2005 ADHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz (region) level. The 2005 ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service (NSS) and the MOH of the Republic of Armenia from September through December 2005. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS project. MEASURE DHS is a worldwide project, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey, while the United Nations Children?s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)/Armenia supported the survey through in-kind contributions. The 2005 ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits. The 2005 ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The 2005 ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

Abstract

The Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) was a nationally representative sample survey designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. The primary goal of the survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data, the first such data set pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the DHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz level.

The ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia during October through December 2000. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS+ project. MEASURE DHS+ is a worldwide project, sponsored by the USAID, with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia provided support through the donation of equipment.

The ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits.

The ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Household
• Children under five years
• Women age 15-49
• Men age 15-54

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The sample was designed to provide estimates of most survey indicators (including fertility, abortion, and contraceptive prevalence) for Yerevan and each of the other ten administrative regions (marzes). The design also called for estimates of infant and child mortality at the national level for Yerevan and other urban areas and rural areas.

The target sample size of 6,500 completed interviews with women age 15-49 was allocated as follows: 1,500 to Yerevan and 500 to each of the ten marzes. Within each marz, the sample was allocated between urban and rural areas in proportion to the population size. This gave a target sample of approximately 2,300 completed interviews for urban areas exclusive of Yerevan and 2,700 completed interviews for the rural sector. Interviews were completed with 6,430 women. Men age 15-54 were interviewed in every third household; this yielded 1,719 completed interviews.

A two-stage sample was used. In the first stage, 260 areas or primary sampling units (PSUs) were selected with probability proportional to population size (PPS) by systematic selection from a list of areas. The list of areas was the 1996 Data Base of Addresses and Households constructed by the National Statistical Service. Because most selected areas were too large to be directly listed, a separate segmentation operation was conducted prior to household listing. Large selected areas were divided into segments of which two segments were included in the sample. A complete listing of households was then carried out in selected segments as well as selected areas that were not segmented.

The listing of households served as the sampling frame for the selection of households in the second stage of sampling. Within each area, households were selected systematically so as to yield an average of 25 completed interviews with eligible women per area. All women 15-49 who stayed in the sampled households on the night before the interview were eligible for the survey. In each segment, a subsample of one-third of all households was selected for the men's component of the survey. In these households, all men 15-54 who stayed in the household on the previous night were eligible for the survey.

Note: See detailed description of sample design in APPENDIX A of the survey report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Three questionnaires were used in the ADHS: a Household Questionnaire, a Women’s Questionnaire, and a Men’s Questionnaire. The questionnaires were based on the model survey instruments developed for the MEASURE DHS+ program. The model questionnaires were adapted for use during a series of expert meetings hosted by the Center of Perinatology, Obstetrics, and Gynecology. The questionnaires were developed in English and translated into Armenian and Russian. The questionnaires were pretested in July 2000.

The Household Questionnaire was used to list all usual members of and visitors to a household and to collect information on the physical characteristics of the dwelling unit. The first part of the household questionnaire collected information on the age, sex, residence, educational attainment, and relationship to the household head of each household member or visitor. This information provided basic demographic data for Armenian households. It also was used to identify the women and men who were eligible for the individual interview (i.e., women 15-49 and men 15-54). The second part of the Household Questionnaire consisted of questions on housing characteristics (e.g., the flooring material, the source of water, and the type of toilet facilities) and on ownership of a variety of consumer goods.

The Women’s Questionnaire obtained information on the following topics: - Background characteristics - Pregnancy history - Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care - Knowledge and use of contraception - Attitudes toward contraception and abortion - Reproductive and adult health - Vaccinations, birth registration, and health of children under age five - Episodes of diarrhea and respiratory illness of children under age five - Breastfeeding and weaning practices - Height and weight of women and children under age five - Hemoglobin measurement of women and children under age five - Marriage and recent sexual activity - Fertility preferences - Knowledge of and attitude toward AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

The Men’s Questionnaire focused on the following topics: - Background characteristics - Health - Marriage and recent sexual activity - Attitudes toward and use of condoms - Knowledge of and attitude toward AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

Cleaning operations

After a team had completed interviewing in a cluster, questionnaires were returned promptly to the National Statistical Service in Yerevan for data processing. The office editing staff first checked that questionnaires for all selected households and eligible respondents had been received from the field staff. In addition, a few questions that had not been precoded (e.g., occupation) were coded at this time. Using the ISSA (Integrated System for Survey Analysis) software, a specially trained team of data processing staff entered the questionnaires and edited the resulting data set on microcomputers. The process of office editing and data processing was initiated soon after the beginning of fieldwork and was completed by the end of January 2001.

Response rate

A total of 6,524 households were selected for the sample, of which 6,150 were occupied at the time of fieldwork. The main reason for the difference is that some of the dwelling units that were occupied during the household listing operation were either vacant or the household was away for an extended period at the time of interviewing. Of the occupied households, 97 percent were successfully interviewed.

In these households, 6,685 women were identified as eligible for the individual interview (i.e., age 15-49). Interviews were completed with 96 percent of them. Of the 1,913 eligible men identified, 90 percent were successfully interviewed. The principal reason for non-response among eligible women and men was the failure to find them at home despite repeated visits to the household. The refusal rate was low.

The overall response rates, the product of the household and the individual response rates, were 94 percent for women and 87 percent for men.

Note: See summarized response rates by residence (urban/rural) in Table 1.1 of the survey report.

Sampling error estimates

The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: (1) nonsampling errors, and (2) sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2000 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) to minimize this type of error, nonsampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.

Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the ADHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and expected size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability between all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey

Abstract

The 2005 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (2005 ADHS) is the second in a series of nationally representative sample surveys designed to provide information on population and health issues in Armenia. As in the 2000 ADHS, the primary goal of the 2005 survey was to develop a single integrated set of demographic and health data pertaining to the population of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to integrating measures of reproductive, child, and adult health, another feature of the 2005 ADHS survey is that the majority of data are presented at the marz (region) level.

The 2005 ADHS was conducted by the National Statistical Service (NSS) and the MOH of the Republic of Armenia from September through December 2005. ORC Macro provided technical support for the survey through the MEASURE DHS project. MEASURE DHS is a worldwide project, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with a mandate to assist countries in obtaining information on key population and health indicators. USAID/Armenia provided funding for the survey, while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/Armenia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)/Armenia supported the survey through in-kind contributions.

The 2005 ADHS collected national- and regional-level data on fertility and contraceptive use, maternal and child health, adult health, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from women of reproductive age and, on certain topics, from men as well. Data are presented by marz wherever sample size permits.

The 2005 ADHS results are intended to provide the information needed to evaluate existing social programs and to design new strategies for improving the health of and health services for the people of Armenia. The 2005 ADHS also contributes to the growing international database on demographic and health-related variables.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Household
• Children under five years
• Women age 15-49
• Men age 15-49

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Sampling procedure

The sample was designed to permit detailed analysis-including the estimation of rates of fertility, infant/child mortality, and abortion-for the national level, for Yerevan, and for total urban and total rural areas separately. Many indicators can also be estimated at the regional (marz) level.

A representative probability sample of 7,565 households was selected for the 2005 ADHS sample. The sample was selected in two stages. In the first stage, 308 clusters were selected from a list of enumeration areas in a subsample from a master sample that was designed from the 2001 Population Census. In the second stage, a complete listing of households was carried out in each selected cluster. Households were then systematically selected for participation in the survey.

All women age 15-49 who were either permanent residents of the households in the 2005 ADHS sample or visitors present in the household on the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. Interviews were completed with 6,566 women. In addition, in a subsample of one-third of all the households selected for the survey, all men age 15-49 were eligible to be interviewed if they were either permanent residents or visitors present in the household on the night before the survey. Interviews were completed with 1,447 men.

Note: See detailed summarized sample implementation tables in APPENDIX A of the report which is presented in this documentation.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Three questionnaires were used in the 2005 ADHS: a Household Questionnaire, a Women’s Questionnaire, and a Men’s questionnaire. The Household and Individual Questionnaires were based on model survey instruments developed in the MEASURE DHS program and on questionnaires used in the 2000 ADHS. The model questionnaires were adapted for use by experts from the NSS and MOH. Input was also sought from a number of non-governmental organizations. The questionnaires were developed in English and translated into Armenian. The Household and Individual Questionnaires were pretested in June 2005.

The Household Questionnaire was used to list all usual members of and visitors to the selected households and to collect information on the socioeconomic status of the household. The first part of the Household Questionnaire collected information on the age, sex, educational attainment, and relationship to the household head of each household member or visitor. This information provides basic demographic data for Armenian households. It also was used to identify the women and men who were eligible for the individual interview (i.e., women and men age 15-49). In the second part of the Household Questionnaire, there were questions on housing characteristics (e.g., flooring material, source of water, type of toilet facilities), on ownership of a variety of consumer goods, and other questions relating to the socioeconomic status of the household. In addition, the Household Questionnaire was used to record height and weight measurements of women, men, and children under age five; hemoglobin measurement of women and children under age five; and blood pressure measurement of women and men.

The Women’s Questionnaire obtained data from women age 15-49 on the following topics: • Background characteristics • Pregnancy history • Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care • Knowledge, attitudes, and use of contraception • Reproductive and adult health • Health care utilization • Vaccinations, birth registration, and health of children under age five • Episodes of diarrhea and respiratory illness of children under age five • Breastfeeding and weaning practices • Marriage and recent sexual activity • Fertility preferences • Knowledge of and attitude toward HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections

The Men’s Questionnaire, administered to men age 15-49, focused on the following topics: • Background characteristics • Health and health care utilization • Marriage and recent sexual activity • Attitudes toward and use of condoms • Knowledge of and attitude toward HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections • Attitudes toward women’s status

Response rate

A total of 7,565 households were selected for the sample, of which 7,003 were occupied at the time of fieldwork. The main reason for the difference is that some of the dwelling units that were occupied during the household listing operation were either vacant or the household was away for an extended period at the time of interviewing. Of the occupied households, 96 percent were successfully interviewed.

In these households, 6,773 women were identified as eligible for the individual interview, and interviews were completed with 97 percent of them. Of the 1,630 eligible men identified, 89 percent were successfully interviewed. Response rates are almost identical in urban and rural areas.

Note: See summarized response rates by residence (urban/rural) in Table 1.1 of the report which is presented this documentation.

Sampling error estimates

Estimates derived from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: 1) non-sampling errors, and 2) sampling errors. Non-sampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2005 Armenia DHS (2005 ADHS) to minimize this type of error, non-sampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.

Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2005 ADHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and expected size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability between all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.

A sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus or minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95 percent of all possible samples of identical size and design.

If the sample of respondents had been selected as a simple random sample, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the 2005 ADHS sample is the result of a multi-stage stratified design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use a more complex formula. The computer software used to calculate sampling errors for the 2005 ADHS is the sampling error module in ISSA (Integrated System for Survey Analysis). This module uses the Taylor linearization method of variance estimation for survey estimates that are means or proportions. Another approach, the Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility and mortality rates.

Note: See detailed