The estimates for the use of drinking-water supply and sanitation originate from data collected by national statistics offices and international survey programmes through nationally representative household surveys and national censuses. [read more…]
Survey and census data are considered to be more reliable and objective than data collected from country sector assessments or questionnaires to local officials, because they reflect the actual practices of users rather than projections based on available infrastructure. Moreover, infrastructure facilities may have fallen out of service, yet still be counted as a source of access. Finally, the use of survey data allows analysts to work with more comparable figures, and to conduct more in-depth analysis such as disaggregating the data into wealth quintiles and monitor trends over time.
The JMP assembles, reviews and assesses country data. Since the 2012 report, 230 datasets have been added to the JMP database. The JMP has benefited from the increased availability of household survey data on web sites of national statistics offices as well as from the survey repository of the International Household Survey Network hosted by the World Bank. Likewise through the collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community the JMP has significantly increased the robustness of the Oceania region estimates. [read more…]
Currently the JMP database includes 1089 nationally representative household surveys and 261 Censuses. Almost all of these come from developing regions and to a lesser extent from the Caucuses and Central Asia. Since census in many developed countries no longer collects information on water and sanitation, for these JMP largely relies on administratively reported data. The JMP database currently includes 320 administratively reported data for developed countries.
A few notable household surveys are described here:
Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)
Nationally-representative household surveys funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that provide data for a wide range of monitoring and impact evaluation indicators in the areas of population, health, and nutrition. Sample sizes range from 2,000 to 30,000 households, and surveys are conducted in over 75 countries approximately every 5 years.
Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)
UNICEF assists countries in collecting and analyzing data in order to fill data gaps for monitoring the situation of children and women through its international household survey initiative the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). Since the mid-1990s, the MICS has enabled many countries to produce statistically sound and internationally comparable estimates of a range of indicators in the areas of health (including water, sanitation and hygiene), education, child protection and HIV/AIDS.
World Health Surveys (WHS)
WHO has developed and implemented a Survey Programme and a World Health Survey to compile comprehensive baseline information on the health of populations and on the outcomes associated with the investment in health systems; baseline evidence on the way health systems are currently functioning; and, ability to monitor inputs, functions, and outcomes. Also within the implemented Survey Programme the WHO Evidence, Measurement and Analysis unit has developed the Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) as part of an ongoing program of work to compile comprehensive longitudinal information on the health and well-being of adult populations and the ageing process.
Living Standards Measurement Surveys (LSMS)
The Living Standards Measurement Study is an on-going research initiative of the World Bank generating policy-relevant household level data that provides an increasingly broad range of technical assistance as methods and technology continue to improve.
This document provides international agencies and country statistics offices with questionnaire tools to arrive at data that is consistent for coordinated monitoring across countries.
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Learn more about the JMP method.