| Abstract: | Researchers analyzed age and birth data reporting using data on 6775 ever married women 15-49 years old collected between March-June 1987 for the Thailand Demographic and Health Survey. 80% of the women accurately stated their age within 1 year of actual age. Further they could state with at least equal accuracy the birth dates of their children. Moreover the ages of younger children were quite accurate since they stated age in units less than whole years but misreporting increased with children's age. Thus the proportion of children who were really 1 year old but reported to be 1 year old was smaller than that of children who really were 1 year old but reported to be 2 years old. This pattern continued until that time when children's ages were no longer reported in greater detail than whole years. The researchers found that undercounts of younger children occurred when stated age was the basis for age tabulations. Most people in Thailand considered their age to be the difference between the present year and the year of birth. They did not take into account whether the present year's birthday passed or not. This practice resulted in a considerable percentage of the population for whom stated age was 1 year older than completed age. In fact, it was quite common, at least in rural areas, for Thasis to not even acknowledge birthdays. They did tend to know their lunar month and animal birth year, however. In conclusion, this study revealed that age data in Thailand are probably more affected when inquiries occur early in the year than later in the year. The researchers called for constant updating research since the social and cultural dynamics which affect age and birth data reporting are always changing. |
