Interviewer instructions
This question is used to verify that the child's correct age can be computed, but also aims to provide an estimate of the extent of birth registration in your country.
Circle the code for the response, noting whether or not the certificate was presented. If a certificate is presented, verify the birth date you were given for Q. 3 and correct it if necessary; then draw a line through the next three questions and skip to Q. 8. If no birth certificate is presented, and the mother is unsure of the exact date, try to verify the date using another document (health card, etc.). Be cautious about accepting the date from an immunization card or other document that may have been obtained some time after the child's birth. Check this date with the mother to be sure she thinks this date is accurate. Go on to Q. 5 if no certificate is shown.
If the birth certificate is unobtainable, or if none exists, and the mother is unsure of the birth date, you will need to probe further to obtain the best possible estimate of the date. If the mother can give a year of birth, but not the month, probe to try to estimate the month. You will have to convert the month to a number, as you have been instructed.
If you cannot estimate the child's month of birth from this information, you may need to find out in which season he/she was born. If it is still not possible to estimate the child's month of birth, write 99 in the space for month. If you cannot ascertain the day of birth, write 99 in the space provided for day. Do not leave these columns blank.
You must record a year of birth. If the mother cannot give a year of birth, you may need to use a calendar of important events to estimate the child's year of birth. If there is no other way to estimate the year of birth, relate the child's birth to another child in the household for whom the date is known. You will need to use your judgement to estimate a year of birth for each child.
Remember, ages must be at last birthday; that is, the child must have already passed or celebrated that birthday.
