Interviewer instructions
Resident Present (RP)
A resident present is defined as a person present in the compound during the night preceding your visit in the household, and who has been living there usually, that is for 6 months or more. Some Special cases may be found. So, the following persons will be considered as "Resident Present" even if they have not yet spent 6 months in the household:
A child born in the household less than 6 months ago, and who lives there since his or her birth;
A woman who joined the household of her husband, and possibly her children who accompany her.
Persons who, for reasons linked to their occupation, are sent or called to serve to another place (for instance a civil servant, or a salesperson), and the pupils or students who are sent elsewhere for doing their studies, to quote only these cases.
In summary, "resident-present" (RP) applies to all the persons who just moved in a household, within the past 6 months, whatever the reasons for moving, and whatever the duration since the move, and whether or not these persons moved on their own or with a group (such as a whole household).
Resident Absent (RA)
A resident absent is a person who usually lives in the compound, but who was absent on the night preceding your visit in the household, and for a duration of less than 6 months.
However, the women who just left their household of origin (that of their parents) to join the household of their husband, the persons who are sent away for service, and these who just moved away will not enumerated as Resident-Absent (RA) in the household that they just left. Indeed, they do not belong to this household any longer, but to that they have joined, and in which they will be enumerated as Resident-Present (RP). Similarly, the household members who are absent for 6 months or more will not be enumerated in the household, whatever is their intention.
In conclusion, if the duration of the absence is longer than 6 months, you must not enumerate this person. This will generally be the case of women who left their usual residence (their village) for more than 6 months, and who will be found in urban areas where they work as maids. Similarly, if a person has moved, or if he or she was sent away for service, you shall not enumerate him or her in his or her household of origin, and this whatever the duration of his or her absence.
A usual resident, who has not spent the night preceding the visit of the census enumerator in the household, but who is present at the time of the interview is enumerated as Resident-Absent (RA).
The visitor (VIS)
A visitor is a person who is not a household member, but who spent the night preceding your visit in the household. A visitor, who stayed for 6 months or more shall be considered as "Resident-Present" (RP).
Note: The visitor is recorded after the other household members. After skipping a line, one will give the sequential number "00".
A child under 6 months of age, born or not in the household from parents who are visitors is also a "Visitor" and shall be recorded as such.
B08. Residence status
Circle: 1. RP, for resident present (see definitions and concepts);
Circle: 2. RA, for resident absent;
Circle: 3. VIS, for visitors and travelers.
Remarks: A child born on the morning of the census enumerator's visit needs to be recorded. The maids who come back to the village during the rainy season are enumerated at their parents' home, and not at their employer's home.
Note: Enumerate as Resident Absent (RA) in the household persons such as: fishermen in the sea, flying staff in air companies or sailing staff in ship companies. Enumerate as Resident Present (RP) the servants who spent the night in the household. Persons who are traveling for a duration less than 6 months are counted as Resident Absent (RA); after 6 months of absence, they are no longer enumerated, and therefore shall not be recorded on the household form. Polygamous men who do not have a fixed residence (visiting husbands) are enumerated as resident (RP or RA) in the household of their first wife, and visitor (VIS) if they spent the night at the home of any of their other wives.
