Afghanistan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey - Childinfo.org

The AMICS was carried out by Afghanistan’s Central Statistics Organization (CSO), with the
technical and financial assistance of UNICEF. The AMICS is a nationally representative sample of
13,468 selected households. The survey was designed to produce representative estimates of
indicators for Afghanistan as a whole, for urban and rural areas, and for each of the country’s
eight regions (Central, Central Highlands, East, North, North East, South, South East and
West). A stratified two-stage cluster sample design was used in the AMICS. Questionnaires for
the household, for women, and for children were administered in each sampled household. The
methodology is described in further detail in Chapter Two.
The results of the AMICS are presented in ten chapters: (3) characteristics of household and
population, (4) child mortality, (5) nutrition, (6) child health, (7) water and sanitation, (8)
reproductive health, (9) child development, (10) literacy and education, (11) child protection,
and (12) HIV and AIDS. The findings chapters share the data in table format, highlight key
aspects of the results, and provide relevant methodological information that helps to further
illuminate the data. This final report presents the results of the indicators and topics covered in
the survey. As a report sharing the findings of a complex survey covering a multitude of
indicators across several major sectors, the AMICS report has as its purpose to present the key
findings resulting from the collection of data. It is beyond the scope of the report to analyze the
findings or speculate on causes for survey results, though it is hoped that the data presented
here will serve other stakeholders in better understanding the causes and consequences of
these findings.
Survey Objectives
The primary objectives of the AMICS 2010-2011 include the following:
� To provide up-to-date information for assessing the situation of children and women in
Afghanistan;
� To generate data on the situation of children and women, including the identification of
vulnerable groups and of disparities.
� To furnish data required for monitoring progress toward goals established in the
Millennium Declaration and other internationally agreed upon goals;
� To serve as the evidence basis for future action and programming design, and to inform
relevant policies and interventions;
� To contribute to the improvement of data and monitoring systems in Afghanistan and to
strengthen technical expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of such
systems.
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