Table 1 Examples of policy impact of data collected by the DHS Program

Tanzania: The fifth Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP V) explicitly states that “household surveys are the most important source to track national progress in health status” [8]. DHS indicators—including institutional birth rate, modern contraceptive use, and malaria parasite prevalence in children—directly inform health planning. High chronic malnutrition rates documented in the 2015/2016 DHS underpinned the country’s first National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan [9].

Nepal: The elevated maternal mortality data revealed in the 2016 DHS prompted the government to enhance maternal health services by establishing birthing centers with skilled birth attendants trained at local health facilities [10].

Guinea: DHS data enabled subnational tailoring of malaria interventions, supporting evidence-based prioritisation for the recently rolled out malaria vaccine and more effective resource allocation in endemic regions [11].

Pakistan: Childhood mortality data from the 2017–2018 DHS directly informed the development of a new support program for pregnant women, demonstrating how survey findings translate into targeted interventions [12].

Global: DHS data are used to calculate and track targets related to SDG 5.6, which has been instrumental in advancing gender equality and reproductive agency in many countries [13]. For example, several Nigerian states have strengthened laws against child marriage, influenced by SDG 5.6 and the African Union’s campaign against early marriage [14, 15].