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Challenges in Measuring the Sequencing of Life Events Among Adolescents in Malawi: A Cautionary Note

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Demography

Abstract

Using data from two rounds of the Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Survey, this research note examines consistency of retrospective reporting on the timing and sequencing of sexual initiation, school leaving, and marriage. The analysis, which compares reporting of events both within and between rounds, indicates substantial inconsistency in reporting of event sequences and highlights difficulties in measuring transitions to adulthood in sub-Saharan Africa with survey data.

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Notes

  1. Although ACASI has been shown to increase reporting of sensitive behavior (e.g., Hewett et al. 2008), some methodological studies conducted in Africa have found that not to be the case (e.g., Minnis et al. 2009). Moreover, in comparison with FTFI data, ACASI data are more likely to be internally inconsistent (Hewett et al. 2004). Although use of a relationship history calendar (RHC) may reduce inconsistency within a round (see Luke et al. 2011), there is no reason to think that inconsistencies would not emerge across rounds. In addition, an RHC does provide more information about the nature of partnerships, but it is time- and resource-intensive.

  2. We also included first labor force participation but subsequently determined that, because of the periodicity of work, it did not reflect a “transition.” In R4, we added pregnancy and childbirth.

  3. Among respondents who reported an age at sexual initiation in R3, 37 % did not know the month in which it occurred.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD047764 and R01HD062155) and the William and Flora Hewlett, James D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, and Spencer Foundations. We thank Johanna Rankin for her assistance on all aspects of the MSAS project, Ann Biddlecom for her contribution to the development of the life event cards, Patrick Makhuva and Baxter Nyirenda for their assistance with the data collection, and all the interviewers and supervisors in Malawi, as well as Michael Vosika for his work on figures. Finally, we thank Joseph Chimombo for his guidance and Barbara Miller for her many contributions to this project. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding institutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Population Council, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY, 10017, USA

    Barbara S. Mensch, Erica Soler-Hampejsek & Christine A. Kelly

  2. Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia

    Paul C. Hewett

  3. Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Monica J. Grant

Authors
  1. Barbara S. Mensch
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  2. Erica Soler-Hampejsek
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  3. Christine A. Kelly
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  4. Paul C. Hewett
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  5. Monica J. Grant
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Correspondence to Barbara S. Mensch.

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Mensch, B.S., Soler-Hampejsek, E., Kelly, C.A. et al. Challenges in Measuring the Sequencing of Life Events Among Adolescents in Malawi: A Cautionary Note. Demography 51, 277–285 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-013-0269-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-013-0269-2

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