Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

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A Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a survey program developed by the United Nations Children's Fund to provide internationally comparable, statistically rigorous data on the situation of children and women. The first round of surveys (MICS1) was carried out in over 60 countries in 1995 in response to the World Summit for Children. A second round (MICS2) in 2000 increased the depth of the survey, allowing monitoring of multiple indicators. An third round (MICS3) was ongoing as of 2006 and aimed at producing data measuring progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, World Fit for Children, and other major relevant international commitments.

Each MICS is divided into four modules: household, children, women and optional. Every MICS children's module has included, for example, a survey on Vitamin A, while an optional survey included in MICS3 was on "child discipline".