The Statistical Institute of Belize, in partnership with UNICEF, will start data collection for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) on August 27th and its duration is expected to be around fourteen weeks. This comprehensive survey will gather essential data on the welfare of children, women, and households throughout Belize. The collected data will provide invaluable information for national policies and direct the advancement towards both national objectives and international obligations, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Data Collection
Why MICS7
Comprehensive Data
MICS7 covers key areas like health, education, gender equality, child protection, and more.
International Standards
The survey follows global methodologies, ensuring data comparability and reliability
Guiding Policy
The insights gained from MICS7 will enable the government and stakeholders to create evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life in Belize.
Key Objectives
To gather high-quality, up-to-date data on children’s and women’s health and social indicators in Belize.
To monitor progress on national initiatives and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To provide accurate, timely information for policymakers and development partners to support evidence-based decisions.
Confidentiality and Privacy
The Statistical Institute of Belize assures the public that all information provided during the survey will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. All SIB employees (temporary and permanent) take an oath of secrecy. The data collected will be used solely for statistical purposes. Personal information will remain protected in accordance with the Statistical Institute of Belize Act No. 9 of 2006 and international statistical standards.
How the MICS7 Will Be Conducted
Survey Approach and Methodology
Household Questionnaire
Each selected household will undergo a structured household questionnaire. This survey captures basic demographic information, household characteristics, educational attainment, sanitation, and hygiene conditions. It serves as the foundation for identifying eligible individuals within the household who will participate in more specific questionnaires.
Women’s Questionnaire
This will be administered to women aged 15 to 49. Topics include health, quality of life, family planning, attitudes toward domestic violence, and access to healthcare. Questions cover important aspects of maternal and child health, mental well-being, and safety.
Men’s Questionnaire
The men’s questionnaire is tailored for men aged 15 to 49 and includes questions relevant to men’s health, background, and experiences with safety and mental health. It is designed to complement the women’s questionnaire by capturing gender-specific data.
Children Under Five Questionnaire
A caregiver will respond to a questionnaire covering child health, nutrition, immunization, and early childhood development for each child under five. Anthropometric measurements will also be taken to evaluate physical growth and nutritional status.
Children Aged 5-17 Questionnaire
This section focuses on educational involvement, child discipline, and foundational learning skills for children aged 5 to 17. A selected caregiver will answer questions on behalf of one randomly selected child in each household. Anthropometry data will also be collected for children aged 5 to 9 to assess growth and health.
Specialized Modules
Anthropometry
This module measures the height, weight, and other body metrics for children under five and those aged 5 to 9. These measurements will provide insights into nutritional status and physical development.
Water Quality Testing
This testing will assess the quality of drinking water within selected households.
Timeline
Interested to know when we’ll be in your area? Here’s our projected work schedule.
| District | CTV | Schedule Start | Scheduled End | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | District | CTV | Schedule Start | Scheduled End |
| 1 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | Paraiso | 25/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 |
| 2 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | San Andres | 25/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 |
| 3 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | San Antonio | 25/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 |
| 4 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | Corozal Town | 25/08/2024 | 12/10/2024 |
| 5 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | Xaibe | 01/09/2024 | 07/09/2024 |
| 6 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | Patchakan | 01/09/2024 | 07/09/2024 |
| 7 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | San Pedro | 01/09/2024 | 07/09/2024 |
| 8 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | Chan Chen | 01/09/2024 | 07/09/2024 |
| 9 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | Ranchito | 08/09/2024 | 14/09/2024 |
| 10 | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | jromero | 15/09/2024 09:04 PM | Corozal | Calcutta | 08/09/2024 | 21/09/2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MICS?
The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is an international survey programme developed in the mid-1990s by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). It is designed to generate data on key indicators used to assess the well-being of women and children, and to help to shape policies for the improvement of their lives. Since its inception over two decades ago, the MICS has been carried out in 120 countries worldwide and has become a major source of information for monitoring the progress towards international development goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Information is collected on various topics including maternal and child health, education, child mortality, child protection, and water and sanitation among others.
To date, Belize has successfully implemented three rounds of the MICS – MICS 3 (2006), MICS 4 (2011), and MICS 5 (2015), and preparations are currently underway to conduct MICS 7, which started on August 27, 2024.
How is my household selected?
Households are randomly selected to ensure that the data represents the entire population of Belize.
How long will the interview take?
The interview typically takes around 90-120 minutes, depending on the size of the household and the information being collected.
How do I verify an interviewer?
All MICS7 field workers will wear a mint green t-shirt with the MICS7 logo and carry an official photo identification card.