since 1984, the demographic and health surveys (dhs) program has provided technical assistance to more than 300 demographic and health surveys in over 90 countries. dhs surveys collect information on fertility and total fertility rate (tfr), reproductive health, maternal health, child health, immunization and survival, hiv/aids; maternal mortality, child mortality, malaria, and nutrition among women and children stunted. the strategic objective of the dhs program is to improve and institutionalize the collection and use of data by host countries for program monitoring and evaluation and for policy development decisions.