Improving retrospective data on recent household deaths: a multi-arm randomized trial in Guinea-Bissau.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In countries with limited civil registration and vital statistics systems, assessing the impact of health crises requires precise retrospective mortality data. We tested whether calendar methods improve survey or census data on dates of recent household deaths registered in a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS).

Methods

Between April and June 2023, we randomized 578 households with HDSS-registered deaths in Guinea-Bissau to interviews by using (i) a standard questionnaire with close-ended questions about dates of deaths, or similar questionnaires supplemented with (ii) a physical calendar of local events printed on paper or (iii) a digital calendar implemented on tablets. We evaluated the accuracy of reported dates through record linkages to HDSS dat

SUBMITTER: Torrisi O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11849960 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature