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How accurately do mothers recall prenatal visits and gestational age? A validation of Uruguayan survey data

Author

Listed:
  • Maira Colacce

    (Universidad de la República)

  • Ivone Perazzo

    (Universidad de la República)

  • Andrea Vigorito

    (Universidad de la República)

Abstract

Background: Many household surveys collect mothers’ retrospective reports of reproductive, maternal, and child health. However, few empirical exercises assess survey measurement error in these data, based on comparisons with administrative records. Objective: We provide evidence on the accuracy of maternal recall regarding weeks of gestation, premature births, and the timing and number of prenatal visits. Methods: We compare the survey maternal recall and the vital statistics administrative records based on the 2013 Nutrition, Child Development and Health Survey (ENDIS) for Uruguay (2,963 children aged 0‒3). We estimate measurement error and its determinants by using a set of probit models. Results: Mothers tend to overestimate gestational weeks and the incidence of prematurity by 0.1 weeks and 2.4 percentage points, respectively. Differences are larger regarding the timeliness and sufficiency of prenatal visits (respectively, 17.0 and 14.4 pp). Discrepancies are associated with lower educational levels, the length of the recall period (child’s age) and birth order. Conclusions: In general, our findings validate the use of survey data, although the identification of premature births and prenatal care sufficiency presents differences that could lead to errors in the evaluation of compliance with, for example, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Since recall accuracy is negatively associated with maternal schooling, discrepancies could be larger in relatively less developed countries. Contribution: The main contribution of this paper lies in the assessment of measurement error levels arising from maternal reports of gestational age and prenatal visits for a relatively short recall period in a Latin American country. Although previous studies estimate measurement errors using administrative records linked to maternal recall data, this is the only study that is based on a nationally representative survey.

Suggested Citation

  • Maira Colacce & Ivone Perazzo & Andrea Vigorito, 2020. "How accurately do mothers recall prenatal visits and gestational age? A validation of Uruguayan survey data," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 43(51), pages 1495-1508.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:43:y:2020:i:51
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2020.43.51
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bruce D. Meyer & Nikolas Mittag, 2019. "Using Linked Survey and Administrative Data to Better Measure Income: Implications for Poverty, Program Effectiveness, and Holes in the Safety Net," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 11(2), pages 176-204, April.
    2. Bruce D. Meyer & Nikolas Mittag, 2015. "Using Linked Survey and Administrative Data to Better Measure Income: Implications for Poverty, Program Effectiveness and Holes in the Safety Net," Upjohn Working Papers 15-242, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    vital statistics; household interviews; validation; Uruguay; prenatal visits; weeks of gestation; premature births; household surveys;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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