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Estimating mortality from census data: A record-linkage study of the Nouna Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Burkina Faso

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno Lankoandé

    (Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population (ISSP))

  • Bruno Masquelier

    (Université catholique de Louvain)

  • Pascal Zabre

    (Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna)

  • Hélène Bangré

    (Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INSD))

  • Géraldine Duthé

    (Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED))

  • Abdramane B. Soura

    (Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo)

  • Gilles Pison

    (Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED))

  • Sié Ali

    (Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna)

Abstract

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, mortality levels are commonly derived from retrospective reports on deceased relatives collected in sample surveys and censuses. These data sources are potentially affected by recall errors. Objective: Using high-quality data collected by the Nouna Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) in Burkina Faso, we evaluate the reliability of mortality estimates based on the 2006 national census. Methods: We extracted from the census database all records referring to the population under surveillance in the HDSS. Life tables were estimated from recent household deaths reported in the census and compared to those obtained from the prospective mortality data. To evaluate age errors and assess their impact on mortality, we linked census and HDSS records at the individual level for the surviving population and the deceased. Indirect estimates of mortality were also calculated based on the reported survival of children and parents. Results: Life expectancies at birth derived from recent household deaths pointed to a lower mortality than monitored in the HDSS, with a difference of 4 years for men and 8 years for women. Underreporting of deaths among the population aged 60 and above accounted for more than half of these differences. Age errors were small for the surviving population and larger for the deceased, but their effects on mortality estimates were modest. Indirect estimates of child mortality were consistent with the HDSS data, but orphanhood-based estimates were implausibly low. Conclusions: Additional elicitation questions should be asked during the census interviews to improve the collection of data on recent household deaths. Contribution: Mortality rates derived from recent household deaths can seriously underestimate mortality. In Burkina Faso the downward bias in the 2006 census was larger among females and was mostly attributable to underreporting of deaths.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Lankoandé & Bruno Masquelier & Pascal Zabre & Hélène Bangré & Géraldine Duthé & Abdramane B. Soura & Gilles Pison & Sié Ali, 2022. "Estimating mortality from census data: A record-linkage study of the Nouna Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Burkina Faso," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 46(22), pages 653-680.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:46:y:2022:i:22
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2022.46.22
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Burkina Faso; demographic surveillance; mortality; indirect techniques; sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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