A household survey methodology was developed for the MCE to collect data on family behaviour related to nutrition (including breastfeeding), the use of insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria, home care, care-seeking, compliance with recommended treatment, and use of health services. Other indicators measured through these surveys include coverage of vaccination and vitamin A supplementation, assessment of weight for age, and determining anaemia prevalence. The questionnaire also covers descriptive socioeconomic information, access and use of health services, as well as costs to the household of child health services and drugs.

Whenever possible, the indicators and survey questions are identical to those in other widely used household surveys on child health issues, including the UNICEF Mulitple-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) supported by USAID and coordinated by Macro International.