Demographic and Health Surveys Methodology - Measure DHS

Changes over TimeThe list of specific methods and their categorization has changed.In DHS I and II surveys, modern methods included pill, IUD, injection, vaginal methods, condom, femalesterilization, and male sterilization. The vaginal methods included in a single group diaphragm, foam andjelly. Traditional methods included periodic abstinence (of any kind), withdrawal, and all respondentmentionedother methods.In DHS III surveys, modern methods included pill, IUD, injection, vaginal methods, condom, femalesterilization, male sterilization, and implants. Traditional methods included periodic abstinence (of anykind), withdrawal and lactational amenorrhea. Folk methods included respondent-mentioned othermethods and were categorized separately from traditional methods.In Measure DHS+ (DHS IV) surveys, emergency contraception was added to the list of contraceptivemethods but is not included as a separate method for current use (included in “others”). The questionnaireallows for more than one method to be currently used. For specific methods, the following hierarchy isused to tabulate current use: female sterilization, male sterilization, contraceptive pill, intrauterinecontraceptive device (IUD), contraceptive injection, contraceptive implants (Norplant), condoms, vaginalmethods (foam, jelly, suppository), lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), periodic abstinence,withdrawal, other methods.Guide to DHS Statistics 46 Updated September 2006