Changing the data processing picture in developing countries: a report on processing the Demographic and Health Surveys.

In late summer 1985 the Demographic and Health Surveys Program (DHS) had a processing problem: 34 large-scale surveys had to be completed in developing countries within the next 4 years. Since Spring 1986 DHS has developed an integrated software package for survey processing and completed the processing for 23 surveys. The DHS approach to survey data processing has been successful. 1 measure of improved processing is the time required to publish results. What used to take years now only takes months. Analysis of data quality has yet to be completed but early indications are that the quality is high. Interest and enthusiasm are also high. Some micros are in place and overseas colleagues have seen how the right combination of hardware and software can improve their working conditions. DHS has helped counterparts in developing countries process their data in a timely fashion. Emphasis should now be placed on expanding the training so that this method can be used for other projects. Training in graphics presentations and word processing should also be included so that dissemination of results can more easily take place.