Subnational variations in the quality of household survey data in sub-Saharan Africa
Overview
Paper Summary
The study found significant variation in the quality of Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data across sub-Saharan Africa, with data quality decreasing in remote areas further from settlements. This decline in data quality appears to be a persistent issue, potentially affecting health and development efforts that rely on this data. Researchers combined survey data with geospatial data on settlements and nighttime light emissions to create high-resolution maps of data quality.
Explain Like I'm Five
Surveys about health and poverty in Africa have different levels of accuracy depending on how close the people surveyed are to cities. People far from cities may be harder to survey accurately.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
The authors acknowledge funding from various sources, including the Austrian National Bank, Austrian Science Fund (FWF), and Feed the Future Food Systems for Innovation Lab. However, they state that these funding sources had no role in the study design, analysis, or interpretation.
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
This is a well-executed study with a novel approach to assessing data quality in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of geospatial modeling and high-resolution data is a strength, offering valuable insights for researchers and policymakers. While the reliance on nighttime light emissions as the primary measure of remoteness has limitations, the overall methodology is sound and the findings are relevant. The clear acknowledgment of limitations and the cautious interpretation of results further strengthen the study's credibility.
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