Country
Work Package 1
10) Albania Demographic and Health Survey 2008–09
The Albania Demographic and Health Survey (ADHS) 2008–09 is part of the USAID-funded Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Programme. It was implemented between October 28, 2008 and April 26, 2009, with the aim of providing nationally representative data on population, health, and nutrition indicators. The survey included household, women’s, and men’s questionnaire modules and forms part of a standardized international survey series.
Albania.
Type of Study
Cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey.
Data Collection
Fieldwork was conducted from October 28, 2008 to April 26, 2009. Data were collected using three standardized questionnaires: a household questionnaire administered in all selected households, a women’s questionnaire administered to women aged 15–49 years, and a men’s questionnaire administered to men aged 15–49 years in a subsample (approximately half of households). The survey followed DHS standard protocols, including face-to-face interviews conducted by trained interviewers.
Sample Size
A total of 8,994 households were selected, of which 8,168 were occupied. Interviews were successfully completed in 7,999 households, corresponding to a response rate of approximately 98%. Among women, 7,733 were eligible and 7,584 were interviewed (98% response rate). Among men, 3,144 were eligible in the half-sample, and 3,013 were interviewed (96% response rate).
Sample Size Characteristics
The sample was designed to be nationally representative, covering both urban and rural areas, as well as major subnational regions (mountain, central, coastal, and Tirana). The survey included women and men aged 15–49 years, with additional data collected on children under five years of age. In selected households, anthropometric and nutritional biomarker data were also collected.
Measurement of Mental Health
Mental health was minimally assessed in the survey. A single item related to depression was included within a broader question on chronic illness and disability:
“Do you suffer from a chronic illness or disability that has lasted more than 3 months (including severe depression)?”
This measure does not provide a clinical assessment of depression and captures only self-reported presence of severe or chronic conditions.
Cohort Profile Available
No. The ADHS 2008–09 is a cross-sectional survey, and no longitudinal follow-up or cohort profile publications are available.
Key Publications
The main publication is the official survey report: Albania Demographic and Health Survey 2008–09, which includes detailed descriptive statistics and tables, including the item related to depression.
Open Access
Yes. The DHS Program provides access to anonymized microdata (recode files) upon free registration and approval. Documentation, questionnaires, and survey reports are also publicly available.
Contact For Collaboration and Possible Access
- Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), Albania – https://www.instat.gov.al
- Institute of Public Health (ISHP), Tirana, Albania
- The DHS Program / ICF – https://dhsprogram.com