ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF DATA FOR ANALYSING THE SEX RATIO AT BIRTH IN VIET NAM

Abstract

Despite widespread concern about high sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Viet Nam, little attention has been given to the quality of the data sources on which SRB estimates are based. This paper reviews the key data sources available for SRB analysis in Viet Nam. A standard assessment framework is developed and used to assess the quality of three national-scale datasets from a population change survey, the health information system and the vital registration system. A comparative triangulation analysis is conducted to determine the consistencies and differentials in SRB estimates at the national, regional and provincial levels. A map of SRB at the provincial level is developed to demonstrate geographical variations. The analyses show the differentials in SRB estimates across the three datasets, and identify six northern provinces centred in the Red River Delta region that appear to have consistently high SRBs.