The SPA survey documentation states that "the structure of the SPA questionnaires can be quite different from country to country". Variable V010 identifies the types of SPA the analyst is using. Following, I am copying the different types of SPA defined by variable V010 and the countries they were applied to:

V010=1: Both MCH and HIV SPAs with multiple units (Kenya 2004, Tanzania 2006, Uganda 2007, Rwanda 2007)
V010=2: MCH SPA only (Egypt 2002, Ghana 2004, Egypt 2004)
V010=3: HIV SPA only (Guyana 2004, Zambia 2005)
V010=4: Both MCH and HIV SPAs with single units and services (Namibia 2009, Kenya 2010)
V010=5: Totally new design for the SPA with facility infrastructure variables similar to those in earlier SPAs, variables similar to earlier MCH, pharmacy and laboratory contents of SPAs, fewer questions for the VCT, TB, ART and PMTCT services, and many small sections of data for malaria services, HIV care and support services, non-communicable disease services, and minor surgical service. (Continuous Senegal 2012, Haiti 2013, Malawi 2013, Ethiopia 2014 (not available), Bangladesh 2014, Tanzania 2014, Nepal 2015

The SPA documentation states that "the user is advised to review the questionnaire for the SPA being analyzed". That is especially helpful before starting analysis for a particular country survey, as it will give the analyst a clear idea of what to expect in the country survey given the moveable content of SPAs from country to country.

I recommend the user check variable V010 and compare countries in her analysis for which the information on the different modules were collected in a similar way. In other words, I recommend the user compare countries for which V010 is the same or, if comparing different types of SPAs (different V010), then to read the documentation for the particular SPA and make sure that the modules analyzed remained the same for the country surveys being analyzed. Also, to further understand the content of these different types of SPA, it is advisable that the user reads the attached documentation, especially pages 2-4 which will provide her a clear idea of the content of the types of SPA survey she is working on.

As per the "why" SPA surveys change from country to country, my assumption (and this is my assumption) is that the decision on the type of SPA to be done on a particular country came by the country itself, their Ministry of Health, and ICF, based on the country needs according to their health system.

I hope this information helps the user to have a clear idea on the types of SPA surveys and their content.