Demographic and Health Survey 1987 (Trinidad and Tobago)

Abstract

The Trinidad and Tobago DHS survey--a national-level self-weighting random sample survey--was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (US/AID) and executed by the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT). Technical assisstance was provided by the Demographic and Health Surveys Program at the Institute for Resource Development (IRD), a subsidiary of Westinghouse located in Columbia, Maryland.

The sampling frame for the TTDHS was the Continuous Sample Survey of Population (CSSP), an ongoing survey conducted by the Central Statistical Office based on the 1980 Population and Housing Census.

The TTDHS used a household schedule to collect information on residents of selected households, and to identify women eligible for the individual questionnaire. The individual questionnaire was based on DHS's Model "A" Questionnaire for High Contraceptive Prevalence countries, which was modified for use in Trinidad and Tobago. It covered four main areas: (1) background information on the respondent, her partner and marital status, (2) fertility and fertility preferences, (3) contraception, and (4) the health of children.

The short term objective of the Trinidad and Tobago Demographic and Health Survey (TTDHS) is to collect and analyse data on the demographic characteristics of women in the reproductive years, and the health status of their young children. Policymakers and programme managers in public and private agencies will be able to utilize the data in designing and administering programmes.

The long term objective of the project is to enhance the ability of organisations involved in the TTDHS to undertake surveys of excellent technical quality.