Abstract

Since its inception in the mid-1990s, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys programme, known as MICS, has become the largest source of statistically sound and internationally comparable data on children and women worldwide. In countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Thailand, Fiji, Qatar, Cote d’Ivoire, Turkmenistan and Argentina, trained fieldwork teams conduct face-to-face interviews with household members on a variety of topics – focusing mainly on those issues that directly affect the lives of children and women. MICS is an integral part of plans and policies of many governments around the world, and a major data source for more than 30 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. The MICS programme continues to evolve with new methodologies and initiatives, including MICS Plus, MICS Link, MICS GIS and the MICS Tabulator.

Geographic coverage

Madagascar The majority of MICS surveys are designed to be representative at the national level. Sample sizes are sufficient to generate robust data at the regional or provincial levels, and for urban and rural areas. Subnational surveys, covering specific population groups (such as Palestinians in Lebanon) or specific geographical areas (such as selected regions of East in Afghanistan) within countries are also conducted.

Analysis unit

Household, Individual

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample sizes vary greatly from one survey to the other, currently averaging around 12,000 households (for national surveys).

The sample for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) was designed to provide estimates on a large number of indicators on the situation of children and women at the national level, for areas of residence, and for geographical locations, such as regions, governorates, or districts. A multi-stage, stratified cluster sampling approach was typickly used for the selection of the survey sample. MICS6 surveys are not self-weighting. For reporting national level results, sample weights were used. A more detailed description of the sample design can be found in Appendix A of Final Report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

MICS questionnaires were designed by implementing agencies, typically the National Statistical Offices. In each country, MICS questionnaires were based on an assessment of the country’s data needs. The starting point were the standard MICS questionnaires designed by UNICEF’s Global MICS Team, in close coordination with experts, development partners and other international survey programmes. Countries chose from the MICS modules in the standard MICS questionnaires. UNICEF’s MICS experts supported implementing agencies to customize the questionnaires, as required, to the national setting. All survey activities, from sample and survey design, to fieldwork and report writing are carried out by the implementing agencies – with continuous technical support from UNICEF.

The sixth round of MICS included six model questionnaires: • Household Questionnaire • Water Quality Testing Questionnaire • The Questionnaire for Individual Women • The Questionnaire for Individual Men • The Questionnaire for Children Age 5-17 and • The Questionnaire for Children Under Five

The flexible, modular nature of MICS questionnaires makes it easy to remove modules which may not be relevant, and modules for which there is already good quality data from other sources.

Refer to tools page on mics.unicef.org for more detailed information on the flow of questionnaires and contents of the modules.

Abstract

Since its inception in the mid-1990s, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys programme, known as MICS, has become the largest source of statistically sound and internationally comparable data on children and women worldwide. In countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Thailand, Fiji, Qatar, Cote d’Ivoire, Turkmenistan and Argentina, trained fieldwork teams conduct face-to-face interviews with household members on a variety of topics – focusing mainly on those issues that directly affect the lives of children and women. MICS is an integral part of plans and policies of many governments around the world, and a major data source for more than 30 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. The MICS programme continues to evolve with new methodologies and initiatives, including MICS Plus, MICS Link, MICS GIS and the MICS Tabulator.

Geographic coverage

Madagascar The majority of MICS surveys are designed to be representative at the national level. Sample sizes are sufficient to generate robust data at the regional or provincial levels, and for urban and rural areas. In MICS1, subnational surveys, covering specific geographical areas (such as the Northeast zone of Somalia and West Bank and Gaza Strip of State of Palestine) within countries were also conducted.

Analysis unit

Household, Individual

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample for the MICS1 was designed to provide national estimates of indicators for the Mid-Decade Goals. Additionally, most countries also used the survey to provide subnational estimates – for example, at the level of regions, areas, states, provinces or districts. These data may be used for detecting areas where greater efforts are required, as well as for programming and evaluation purposes.

MICS1 reports routinely disaggregate data by location of residence. More details on particular sampling design can be found in the survey final reports.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

MICS questionnaires were designed by implementing agencies, typically the National Statistical Offices. In each country, MICS questionnaires were based on an assessment of the country’s data needs. The starting point was the standard MICS1 questionnaire designed under the guidance of the Planning and Coordination Office, all relevant technical clusters within UNICEF and the Evaluation and Research Office, with assistance from the United Nations Statistical Office, with support from UNFPA, and in consultation with other United Nations agencies, especially the World Health Organization and UNESCO. Countries chose from the MICS modules in the standard MICS questionnaires. All survey activities, from sample and survey design, to fieldwork and report writing were carried out by the implementing agencies – with limited technical support from UNICEF regional advisors in monitoring and evaluation.

The MICS1 standard questionnaire was set up as a series of modules:

HOUSEHOLD MODULES: Household Information Panel Mother and Child Listing Form Water and Sanitation Module Salt Iodization Module Education Module

MODULES FOR MOTHERS: Tetanus Toxoid Module Care of Acute Respiratory Illness Module (optional)

MODULES FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE: Diarrhoe Module Vitamin A Module Breastfeeding Module (optional) Immunization Module Anthropometry Module

MORTALITY MODULE (alternative)