Child mortality estimation: consistency of under-five mortality rate estimates using full birth histories and summary birth histories.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Given the lack of complete vital registration data in most developing countries, for many countries it is not possible to accurately estimate under-five mortality rates from vital registration systems. Heavy reliance is often placed on direct and indirect methods for analyzing data collected from birth histories to estimate under-five mortality rates. Yet few systematic comparisons of these methods have been undertaken. This paper investigates whether analysts should use both direct and indirect estimates from full birth histories, and under what circumstances indirect estimates derived from summary birth histories should be used.

Methods and findings

Usings Demographic and Health Surveys data from West Africa, East Africa, Latin America, and South/Southeast Asia,

SUBMITTER: Silva R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3429405 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature