Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2000 - Albania

Abstract
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The 2000 Albania Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a nationally representative survey of households, women, and children. The main objectives of the survey are to provide for the first time information for assessing the situation of children and women in Albania at the end of the decade and to furnish data needed for monitoring progress toward goals established at the World Summit for Children and as a basis for future action.

The 2000 Albania Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey has as its primary objectives:
- To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in Albania at the end of the decade in order to develop effective policies and strategies over the next decade;
- To furnish data on the situation of children needed for the compilation of the initial and second CRC country reports;
- To measure Albania’s performance vis a vis the 1990 World Summit for Children goals.
- To provide analysis of the situation of children for inclusion in deliberations at the United Nations Special Session on children as a basis for future action.
- To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in Albania and to strengthen technical expertise in design, implementation, and analysis of such systems.

Geographic coverage
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National

Analysis unit
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Households, women age 15-49, and children under age 5.

Kind of data
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Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure
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Sample Design
The sample for MICS Albania was designed to provide estimates of various indicators at the national level, for urban and rural areas. The sample was selected in two stages. At the first stage, 376 primary Sampling Units (PSU) were systematically selected from 1665 PSU. At the second stage, households were selected systematically within each PSU. The total sample had 5182 households. Because the sample was stratified by urban and rural areas, it is not self-weighting. For reporting national level results, sample weights are used.

Mode of data collection
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Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument
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The questionnaires for the Albania MICS were based on the MICS Model Questionnaire with some modifications and additions. A household questionnaire was administered in each household, which collected various information on household members including sex, age, literacy, marital status, and orphaned children status. The household questionnaire also included education, child labor, water and sanitation, and salt iodization modules. In addition to a household questionnaire, questionnaires were administered in each household for women age 15-49 and children under age five. For children, the questionnaire was administered to the mother or caretaker of the child. The questionnaire for women contained the following modules:
- Child mortality
- Tetanus toxoid
- Maternal and newborn health
- Contraceptive use
- HIV/AIDS.

The questionnaire for children under age five included modules on:
- Birth registration and early learning
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Breastfeeding
- Care of Illness
- Respiratory illness
- Immunization
- Anthropometry.

From the MICS model English version, the questionnaires were translated into the Albanian language. The questionnaires were pre-tested during May 2000. Based on the results of the pretest, modifications were made to the wording and translation of the questionnaires.

Response rate
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Of the 5182 households selected for the Albania MICS sample, 4970 were found to be occupied (Table 1). Of these, 4821 were successfully interviewed for a household response rate of 97 percent. The response rate was higher in urban areas (98 percent) than in rural areas (95.7 percent). In the interviewed households, 5496 eligible women aged 15-49 were identified. Of these, 5456 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 99.3 percent. In addition, 1453 children under age five were listed in the household questionnaire. Of these, questionnaires were completed for 1452 children for a response rate of 99.9 percent.