Questionnaire Text

Questionnaire form view entire document:  text  image
VII. People in the census household

Only for women 15 years of age and older
[Questions 21 - 24 were asked of women age 15+ old]

21. Total children born alive

How many children born alive have you had in total?

[] 00 None
[] [If any write the total number]
_ _ Total
_ _ Males
_ _ Females
[] 99 Unknown
Questionnaire instructions view entire document:  text  image

E. Fifth block: fertility and mortality characteristics (for all women 15 years of age and older)

Questions 21-24 are designed to obtain information to allow estimations of levels and trends in fertility, mortality, and population growth.

The adequate investigation of this question requires that the enumerator be delicate and extremely diligent in the request for information. Questions 21-24 should be presented to all women 15 years of age and older, irrespective of their marital status. If possible, these questions should be presented directly to each woman. Women sometimes forget to declare children born alive who have passed away, children who are alive but living in another place of residence, and also newborns. This should be kept in mind to avoid omissions.

It has been verified that certain enumerators suppose that unmarried women do not have children and therefore do not present the pertinent questions to them. This is inadequate and leads to the collection of poor quality data.


Question 21: total number of children born alive

This question is presented to all women 15 years of age and older, irrespective of their marital status.

1. How to formulate the question

How many children born alive have you had in total?

The following definition should be taken into account:

Child born alive: The child who, after birth, breathes, cries, or moves; whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut, whether or not the child is connected to the placenta.

If any of these vital signs are present, the child is considered to be born alive, even if passing away immediately thereafter.

2. How to record the data

Before recording the information, pertinent questions should be asked until it is certain that no child born alive has been omitted and those children born alive who died shortly after birth or in the first months of life are included. Those children who do not live with the mother and reside in another place as well as newborns should also be included.

[p. 89]

The number of children born alive, by sex, is recorded after the corresponding word: "total", "males," "females." If the enumerated woman has not had any children born alive, the word "00. none" is marked.

When the informant does not know if the enumerated person has had children born alive, the category "99. unknown" is marked.

3. Example:

[These instructions refer to a graphic of question 21 of the census form]