Demographic and Health Survey 2003 (Turkiye)

Abstract

The 2003 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS-2003) is a nationally repre­sentative sample survey designed to provide information on levels and trends on fertility, infant and child mortality, family planning and maternal and child health. Survey re­sults are presented at the national level, by urban and rural residence, and for each of the five regions in the country. The TDHS­2003 sample also allows analyses for some of the survey topics for the 12 geographical regions (NUTS1) which were adopted at the second half of 2002 within the context of Turkey's move to join the European Union.

Funding for the TDHS-2003 was provided initially by the Government of Turkey, as a project in the annual investment program of the State Planning Organization, and further funding was obtained from the European Union through the Turkey Reproductive Health Program implemented by the Minis­try of Health.

The survey was fielded between December 2003 and May 2004. Interviews were com­pleted with 10,836 households and with 8,075 ever-married women at reproductive ages (15-49). Ever-married women at ages 15-49 who were present in the household on the night before the interview or who usually live in that household were eligible for the survey.

The 2003 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS-2003) is the latest in a series of national-level population and health surveys that have been conducted by the Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies (HUIPS), in the last four decades. The primary objective of the TDHS-2003 is to provide data on socioeconomic characteristics of households and women, fertility, mortality, marriage patterns, family planning, maternal and child health, nutritional status of women and children, and reproductive health. The survey obtained detailed information on these issues from a sample of ever-married women in the reproductive ages (15-49). The TDHS-2003 was designed to produce information in the field of demography and health that to a large extent can not be obtained from other sources.

Specifically, the objectives of the TDHS-2003 included:
- Collecting data at the national level that allows the calculation of demographic rates, particularly fertility and childhood mortality rates;
- Obtaining information on direct and indirect factors that determine levels and trends in fertility and childhood mortality;
- Measuring the level of contraceptive knowledge and practice by method, region, and urban-rural residence;
- Collecting data relative to mother and child health, including immunizations, prevalence and treatment of acute respiratory tract infections among children under five, antenatal care, assistance at delivery, and breastfeeding;
- Measuring the nutritional status of children under five and of their mothers; and
- Collecting data at the national level on elderly welfare, knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and AIDS, and usage of iodide salt.

The TDHS-2003 information is intended to contribute data to assist policy makers and administrators to evaluate existing programs and to design new strategies for improving demographic, social and health policies in Turkey. Another important purpose of the TDHS­2003 is to sustain the flow of information for the interested organizations in Turkey and abroad on the Turkish population structure in the absence of reliable and sufficient vital registration system.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The results show that there have been important changes in various demographic and health indicators in a more positive direction than expected. The fertility data indicate that Turkey is achieving “replacement” fertility. The survey findings also document improvements in infant and child mortality and progress in mother and child health services.