The Demographic and Health Survey Phase 8 (DHS-8): Sexual Activity includes 5 items from the Women's Questionnaire to assess the respondent's age at which sexual intercourse first occurred and details regarding the most recent sexual partner (e.g., recency, frequency, and relationship). Navigational aspects (i.e. skip-out patterns and next question sequences) have not been included on this page but can be viewed on the original questionnaire located here.
Short Measure
Multi-Country
Now I would like to ask you some questions about your sexual activity in order to gain a better understanding of some important life issues. Let me assure you again that your answers are completely confidential and will not be told to anyone. If we should come to any question that you don’t want to answer, just let me know and we will go to the next question.
1. How old were you when you had sexual intercourse for the very first time?
Response Options:
Never had sexual intercourse
2-digit numeric (_years old)
2. I would like to ask you about your recent sexual activity. When was the last time you had sexual intercourse?
Response Options:
2-digit numeric (_days ago)
2-digit numeric (_weeks ago)
2-digit numeric (_months ago)
2-digit numeric (_years ago)
3. What was your relationship to this person with whom you had sexual intercourse?
Response Options:
Husband
Live-in-partner
Boyfriend not living with the respondent
Casual acquaintance
Client/sex worker
Other (Additionally, specify in text)
4. Apart from this person, have you had sexual intercourse with any other person in the last 12 months?
Response Options:
Yes
No
5. In total, with how many different people have you had sexual intercourse in your lifetime?
IF NON-NUMERIC ANSWER, PROBE TO GET AN ESTIMATE.
Response Options:
2-digit numeric (_number of lifetime partners)
Don’t know
GEOGRAPHIES TESTED:
POPULATIONS INCLUDED:
Female
AGE RANGE:
Adolescents
Adults
Not Applicable
PRIMARY CITATION:
Demographic and Health Surveys (2019). Demographic and Health Surveys: Women's Questionnaire. https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-DHSQ8-DHS-Questionnaires-and-Manuals.cfm
Qualitative Research
Existing Literature/Theoretical Framework
Field Expert Input
Cognitive Interviews / Pilot Testing
Internal
Test-retest
Interrater
Content
Face
Criterion (gold-standard)
Construct
Total Score: 0.00/10 Points (NO DATA)
For more details, see Scoring Methodology