What are population-based health surveys?

These surveys are usually national in scope interviewing thousands of reproductive age-women on reproductive, maternal, and infant health topics. The surveys provide high quality, scientific, population-based data about key health indicators that Ministries of Health and non-governmental organization (NGOs) can use to improve and more effectively target their health care services. Countries usually conduct these surveys every five years or so and thus can also document progress toward achieving development and health objectives, such as the Millennium Development Goals.  more