The DHS Program’s Essential Statistical Concepts for Understanding DHS Program Data course familiarizes data users with the most commonly used statistics in tables from The DHS Program household-based surveys, including basic calculations, definitions, and considerations for use. These skills are essential for correct interpretation of tables and correct application/citation of DHS data in reports, journalism, and everyday data use for decision making. By the end of the course, you will be able to: define 7 basic statistical terms (percentage, prevalence, percent distribution, mean, median, rate, and ratio); correctly recognize the basic statistical measures used in key DHS tables; differentiate between a percentage and a percent distribution, a mean and a median, and a rate and a ratio, and be able to identify the appropriate statistic for DHS indicators; calculate basic statistics (percent, mean, median, and percent change); define sampling errors, confidence intervals and statistical significance and apply these concepts to interpretation of DHS Program trend data; and understand standard deviation and its use in DHS nutrition tables.