Survey ID Number
LBR_2013_DHS_v01_M
Title
Demographic and Health Survey 2013
Sampling Procedure
Sample Design
The sampling frame for the 2013 LDHS was developed by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) after the 2008 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC). The sampling frame is similar to that used for the 2009 and 2011 Liberia Malaria Indicator Surveys (LMIS), except that the classification of localities as urban or rural was updated through the application of standardized definitions. The sampling frame excluded nomadic and institutional populations such as residents of hotels, barracks, and prisons. Notably, the sampling frame for the 2013 LDHS differs markedly from that used for the 2007 LDHS, which was based on the 1984 NPHC. Taken together, these differences may complicate data comparisons between surveys.
The 2013 LDHS followed a two-stage sample design that allowed estimates of key indicators for the country as a whole, for urban and rural areas separately, for Greater Monrovia and other urban areas separately, and for each of 15 counties. To facilitate estimates of geographical differentials for certain demographic indicators, the 15 counties were collapsed into five regions as follows:
North Western: Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu
South Central: Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa
South Eastern A: River Cess, Sinoe, and Grand Gedeh
South Eastern B: River Gee, Grand Kru, and Maryland
North Central: Bong, Nimba, and Lofa
Regional data were presented in the 2007 LDHS, the 2009 LMIS, and the 2011 LMIS. However, in contrast with these past surveys, the South Central region now includes Monrovia. Thus, data presented for the South Central region in this report is not directly comparable to that presented in the 2007 LDHS, the 2009 LMIS, or the 2011 LMIS.
The first stage of sample selection involved selecting sample points (clusters) consisting of enumeration areas (EAs) delineated for the 2008 NPHC. Overall, the sample included 322 sample points, 119 in urban areas and 203 in rural areas. To allow for separate estimates of Greater Monrovia and Montserrado as a whole, 44 sample points were selected in Montserrado; 16 to 26 sample points were selected in each of the other 14 counties.
The second stage of selection involved the systemic sampling of households. A household listing operation was undertaken in all the selected EAs from mid-September to mid-October 2012. From these lists, households to be included in the survey were selected. Approximately 30 households were selected from each sample point for a total sample size of 9,677 households. During the listing, geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) were taken in the center of the populated area of each EA using global positioning system (GPS) units.
Because of the approximately equal sample sizes in each region, the sample is not self-weighting at the national level, and weighting factors have been added to the data file so that the results will be proportional at the national level.
All women age 15-49 who were either permanent residents of the selected households or visitors who stayed in the household the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. In half of the households, all men age 15-49 who were either permanent residents of the selected households or visitors who stayed in the household the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. In the subsample of households selected for the male survey, blood samples were collected for laboratory testing to detect HIV from eligible women and men who consented; in this same subsample of households, height and weight information was collected from eligible women, men, and children 0-59 months.
Further details on the sample design and implementation are given in Appendix A of the final report.
Data Collection Notes
Training of Field Staff
Six women and nine men participated in a training to pretest the LDHS survey protocol from 20 August to 7 September 2012. Most participants had worked on various LDHS survey activities previously, including the 2007 LDHS, or were employed by LISGIS. Trainers were staff from LISGIS and MEASURE DHS. Ten days of classroom instruction were provided. Additionally, pretest field practice took place over four days in both rural and urban locations. Following field practice, a debriefing session was held with the pretest field staff, and modifications to the questionnaires were made based on lessons drawn from the exercise.
The recruitment of the LDHS field staff began in October 2012. The positions were advertised via announcements on bulletin boards in LISGIS headquarters and all LISGIS county offices. Minimum requirements of applicants included a high school diploma, fluency in English, and familiarity with one or more local dialects. A total of 3,662 applications were received from all counties. Vetting of all applications was done over a two-week period; 1,339 candidates were short-listed to sit for aptitude testing. Two aptitude tests were arranged. The first occurred in November 2013; those who passed were eligible for a second aptitude test, which was administered in January 2013. One thousand and sixty-four candidates sat for the first test, and 564 candidates sat for the second test. Based on the outcome of the second test combined with prior survey experience and other intangibles, a total of 128 persons (82 females and 46 males) were invited to the main training.
The field staff main training took place over four weeks (11 February to 8 March 2013). The training was conducted following MEASURE DHS training procedures, which included class presentations, mock interviews, tests, and field practice. Trainers included LISGIS staff who participated in the LDHS pretest; staff from MOHSW, WHO, and Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia; and staff from ICF International.
Out of those persons who were recruited and attended the main training, 65 women and 31 men were selected to carry out field work. Among this group, 16 persons were selected as team supervisors and 16 persons were selected as field editors; all others served as interviewers. Team supervisors and field editors were provided with additional training in methods of field editing, data quality control procedures, and fieldwork coordination.
Fieldwork
Data collection was carried out by 16 field teams, each consisting of one team supervisor, one field editor, three female interviewers, one male interviewer, and one driver. On each team, one of the female interviewers and the male interviewer were also tasked with biomarker collection (conducting height and weight measurements and blood collection for HIV testing from eligible respondents). Five senior staff members from LISGIS and a senior staff member from NACP coordinated and supervised the fieldwork activities. Participants in fieldwork monitoring also included a resident advisor, a survey technical specialist, and a senior data processing specialist, all of whom worked directly for the MEASURE DHS project.
Data collection took place over a four-month period from 10 March to 19 July 2013. For logistical reasons, including the difficulty in reaching the clusters located in the Southeast during the rainy season, fieldwork was divided into three phases:
• Phase I: Maryland, Grand Kru, Sinoe, River Gee, Grand Gedeh
• Phase II: Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Grand Bassa, River Cess
• Phase III: Margibi, Montserrado, Greater Monrovia, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount
At least three teams were assigned to each county.