Introduction This presentation contains the main results of the third Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS3) of Algeria, which was conducted in 2006 by the National Office of Statistics and the Ministry of Public Health. This investigation is an international initiative launched by Unicef to support countries to fill gaps in information on human development and the situation of children and women. This is the third survey conducted in Algeria (previously undertaken in 1995 and 2000).

Objectives 1. To provide the data required to monitor the Millennium Development Goals. 2. To provide data to enable public authorities to implement, monitor and evaluate health policies. 3. To provide regional indicators and to analyse the regional disparities and implement programs to reduce them. 4. To provide data for comparison with other countries.

Methods and Materials A sample size calculation was undertaken in order to allow results to be representative at national and regional levels, and also according to urban and rural strata. A total of 29 478 households spread across 17 sub-regions were selected, consisting of 47 612 women (age 15–49 years) and 15 000 children (age <5 years).

Results Core data collected for children includes: nutrition, breastfeeding, vaccination, diarrhoeal diseases, education, discipline of children, and birth registration. Data for women includes: general characteristics, marital status, fertility, family planning, maternal care, and knowledge about the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Data for the general population includes: chronic diseases, physical and mental handicap.

Conclusion The observed results demonstrate the improvement of the general population in a number of domains, however, differences persist. These results have pushed the government to adapt the programs, taking account of regional and local differences.