VII. People in the census household

For women 12 years old or older
[Question 20 - 24 were asked of women age 12 years old or older]

20. Son and daughter born alive

Questions for females aged 12 and older
The purpose of questions 20-24 is to obtain information that allows estimates as to the level and trend of fertility, mortality, and growth of the population.

[p. 68]

The enumerator must be dedicated and careful in order to obtain the appropriate information in this important question set. Ask all females older than 12, regardless of their marital status.

If possible, ask girls and women directly. They may forget sometimes, and state that children who have died were live-born, or are alive living elsewhere, and newborns. Keep this in mind so as to avoid missing anyone.

Note that information about live-born children should include all children that the girl or woman has had, either as the result of a marriage or cohabitation, or from a current or former marriage.

Remember that the following questions are to be asked of all girls or women aged 12 and older, regardless of their current marital status.

20. Live-born children
Keep in mind the following definition as you are asking this question:

A live-born child is one who breathed, cried or moved when he/she was born, even if he/she died immediately afterward and regardless of whether or not the umbilical cord had been cut or the placenta delivered. If the child displayed any of these vital signs it should be considered live-born, even if he/she died immediately afterward.

[A graphic of box 20, "live-born children," is reproduced on the right-hand side of the page.]

Ask, "Have you had a child who was born alive?" and mark an X in the appropriate circle.

If the answer is no, finish the interview and go on to another person.