Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys Update on MICS3, Plans for MICS4 Attila Hancioglu Health Metrics Network Meeting, Calverton, July 2007

Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys Objective: to support countries in filling data gaps to monitor progress towards international goals and targets MICS1 – 1995 – 65 surveys ( WSC Mid-decade goals ) MICS2 – 2000 – 67 surveys ( WSC End-decade goals ) MICS3 – – 56 surveys World Fit For Children Goals, MDGs, UNGASS, Abuja targets

MICS3 Content 101 indicators, 21 MDGs measured WFFC Goals in Healthy Lives, Education, HIV/AIDS, Child Protection

MICS3 – Topics/Modules Child mortality Nutritional status Breastfeeding Salt iodization Vitamin A Birth weight Immunization Tetanus Toxoid ORT Pneumonia Solid fuel use Malaria Water – sanitation Security of tenure Contraception Antenatal care Delivery care Maternal mortality Child development Education – literacy Birth registration Child labour Child discipline Early marriage Polygyny FGM Domestic violence Disability HIV/AIDS knowledge Sexual behaviour OVC Core additional optional

MICS3 Survey Tools Household, Womens (15-49) and Under-5s (mothers/caretakers) questionnaires Additional and Optional modules can be added Weight and Height measurements for under-5s Salt testing GPS in 10 countries Largely harmonized with DHS Interagency work to develop indicators and modules

MICS3 In Numbers 56 surveys – 2005 (10), 2006 (38), 2007 (8) Collaboration with other survey programs (DHS, PAPFAM), but the majority of survey are stand-alone MICS Surveys mainly funded by UNICEF and governments, but significant funding support from other agencies at country level

MICS3 In Numbers MICS3 surveys by region 13West Africa 4East Africa 13Eastern Europe/CIS 7Americas (Caribbean) 5East Asia/Pacific 12Middle East/North Africa 2South Asia

MICS3 Features National surveys, urban-rural and regional reporting domains, some surveys reporting at district, provincial, governorate level Stratified cluster sampling Carried out by NSOs, with support from UNICEF Limited technical in-country support

Bangladesh Bangladesh Belize 1832 Median: 6684

MICS3 Features Increased standardization across countries More emphasis on data quality checks, sampling errors, dissemination Use of IHSN toolkit for archiving Transfer of MICS results to Dev-Info

MICS3 Survey Process Survey tools developed at HQ level, including the MICS manual Assessment of data needs at all three levels of UNICEF – HQ, ROs, COs with Governments Workshop 1: Survey design Development of customized surveys at country level

MICS3 Survey Process (cont.) Workshop 2: Data processing Data collection and processing Workshop 3: Data analysis and report writing Analysis and report writing Workshop 4: Data archiving and dissemination Publication

MICS3 – Assistance by UNICEF Dependence on capacity at country level – both government and UNICEF HQ – develop survey tools, survey manuals and guidelines, protocols, coordination, workshops, provision of feedback RO – coordinate at regional level, organize workshops (regional coordinators - PAPFAM) CO – follow up at country level, provision of feedback

MICS3 – Assistance by UNICEF Government – customization, implementation, reporting The system takes advantage of the strong presence of UNICEF at country level User friendly survey documentation Government ownership

MICS3 Current status Data sets available to UNICEF for the majority of countries Review of data sets, tabulations, reports in progress Analysis of data for WFFC report in progress Majority of final reports to be available by end of August – early September ( median – 14 months after completion of data collection ) Micro data to be available by end 2007 After publication of final reports, de-personalization, documentation, archiving

Challenges - Issues Focus on WSC in MICS1 and MICS2, large number of indicators and modules, several international commitments (inc WFFC, MDGs, UNGASS…too much to do? Capacity problems, competing priorities at UNICEF COs and governments Lack of in-country technical support Delays in analysis and report writing Variable data quality

Malawi MICS and DHS Mortality Estimates

MICS4 Increased periodicity of MICS UNICEF will be prepared to provide support at more frequent intervals MICS4 surveys in Advocate increased periodicity for high- mortality countries, together with detailed assessment of data gaps and interventions

MICS4 Low-mortality, transition countries – development of region-specific modules Include new modules, collect information previously unavailable, alternate modules Less influenced by staff turnovers, government changes, continuity, towards eventual inclusion of child-related topics in national household surveys

MICS4 Increase periodicity and improve data quality at the same time Challenged capacity, technical issues re measurement at frequent intervals, coordination with other survey programs Initial stages of planning, synchronized with UNICEFs planning - funding cycles Improvements in human resources, at HQ, RO levels – for MICS4 and monitoring in general Increased funding Better network of technical assistance, including the use of technical experts for in-country support

MICS4 Increase periodicity and improve data quality at the same time Challenged capacity, technical issues re measurement at frequent intervals, coordination with other survey programs Initial stages of planning, synchronized with UNICEFs planning - funding cycles Improvements in human resources, at HQ, RO levels – for MICS4 and monitoring in general Increased funding Better network of technical assistance, including the use of technical experts for in-country support