Yes, multi-level models (MLMs) are suitable for analyzing binary outcome variables in Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) datasets. These models are especially helpful when dealing with hierarchical or nested data structures, which is often the case with DHS datasets where individual responses might be nested within households or communities. The process for using MLMs with binary outcome variables generally involves the following steps:
Collecting and Preparing Data
Choosing the Right Model
Estimating the Model Parameters
Interpreting the Results
For DHS datasets, it’s important to consider the complex survey design and weights. Some resources provide specific guidance on approximating level weights for multilevel modeling using DHS surveys1. Additionally, dedicated software packages and resources are available to assist with multilevel modeling, including handling models for categorical outcomes. Furthermore, remember to check the assumptions of MLMs and conduct appropriate diagnostics to ensure the quality of your results.
When working with DHS datasets, it's crucial to consider the complex survey design and weights. There are specialized software packages and resources are available to assist with multilevel modeling, including dealing with models for categorical outcomes. Additionally, it's important to verify the assumptions of MLMs and perform suitable diagnostics to ensure the accuracy of your results.