Comparison of Data Quality between Conventional and Continuous Demographic and Health Surveys in Peru

Yoonjoung Choi, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Lucas Rachel, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Madeleine Short, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Nisha Sarpal, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Jacob A. Adetunji, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program used the continuous survey (CS) methodology first in Peru, as an innovative approach to household survey data collection. The first set of 5 CS was conducted between 2004 and 2008, and another set will be implemented through 2013. One of the benefits of conducting CS, compared to conventional DHS – typically conducted every 4-6 years, is an opportunity for capacity building through establishing long-term survey teams, which may improve data quality. The purpose of this study is to compare data quality indicators between four conventional DHS (1986, 1991-92, 1996, and 2000) and five continuous DHS (2004-2008) conducted in Peru. Selected indicators will be measured to assess age displacement of women and children and digit preference in reporting age at child death. The implications for other countries and the data quality effects of the introduction of PDA in 2008 will be also discussed.