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Table 4 DSS and MDHS estimates of “total fertility” (15–49 years) and “cumulative fertility” (15–39 years) among women sampled for the validation analysis, and the DSS-MDHS difference by the three most-recent 36-month intervals before the survey, according to type of questionnaire

From: The validity of birth and pregnancy histories in rural Bangladesh

Months before survey

Fertility measure

Questionnaire type

Birth history

Pregnancy history

DSS estimate

MDHS estimate

Difference

DSS estimate

MDHS estimate

Difference

0–35

Total fertility (15–49)

4.9

4.7

+0.2

5.7

5.3

+0.4

 

Cum. fertility (15–39)

4.8

4.6

+0.2

5.5

5.1

+0.4

36–71

Cum. fertility (15–39)

4.7

4.8

−0.1

4.8

4.8

0.0

72–107

Cum. fertility (15–39)

5.3

5.1

+0.2

5.2

5.3

−0.1

  1. Data sources: 1994 Matlab Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS); Matlab Demographic Surveillance System (DSS)
  2. Note: “Total fertility” (15–49) is defined here as five multiplied by the sum of age-specific fertility rates, ages 15–49. “Cumulative fertility” (15–39) is defined as five multiplied by the sum of age-specific fertility rates, ages 15–39. “Total fertility” is in quotes because it was calculated only for the women who met the inclusion criterion for the present validation analysis, i.e., women who had given birth in the DSS within the 15 years before the survey