The DHS Program User Forum
Discussions regarding The DHS Program data and results
Home » Data » Sampling » What is the definition of "Major cities" for v103?
What is the definition of "Major cities" for v103? [message #13350] Thu, 26 October 2017 12:56 Go to next message
AmsP
Messages: 24
Registered: April 2016
Member
One of the four categories of v103 is "capital". In the DHS recode manual, "capital" is defined as capital cities and major cities. However, it does not give a clear definition of "major cities".

So I would like to ask what the definition of "major cities" is.

Many thanks.
Re: What is the definition of "Major cities" for v103? [message #13552 is a reply to message #13350] Fri, 17 November 2017 13:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bridgette-DHS is currently offline  Bridgette-DHS
Messages: 3016
Registered: February 2013
Senior Member
Following is a response from Senior DHS Data Specialist, Tom Pullum:

This distinction was made in some older surveys but not in recent ones. The urban/rural classification of the country's statistical office is always used. I have asked around and it seems that the distinction between, say, "major cities" and other urban areas was also usually based on advice from the country's statistical office. The lack of a standard criterion was part of the reason why this distinction was dropped. You could look at specific survey reports to see if they specify criteria.
Re: What is the definition of "Major cities" for v103? [message #13639 is a reply to message #13552] Wed, 06 December 2017 16:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AmsP
Messages: 24
Registered: April 2016
Member
Dear Tom,

Thank you so much for the information!
Re: What is the definition of "Major cities" for v103? [message #14576 is a reply to message #13639] Sat, 21 April 2018 21:53 Go to previous message
kingx025 is currently offline  kingx025
Messages: 95
Registered: August 2016
Location: Minneapolis. Minnesota
Senior Member
You might consider using the new contextual variable on population density in IPUMS-DHS as an alternative measure of urbanization.
https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/POPDENSITY#de scription_section

While countries vary in their definition of urban status, this population density measure is consistent across samples and lends itself to more categories than the dichotomous URBAN/RURAL variable in the DHS.
You can access IPUMS-DHS at idhsdata.org and can make a customized data file with the variables and samples you want, including this population density variable, if you log in with your regular DHS user email and password.


Miriam King


Dr. Miriam King
IPUMS-DHS Project Manager (www.idhsdata.org)
Previous Topic: Sample domains
Next Topic: Design effect
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Thu Mar 28 11:36:38 Coordinated Universal Time 2024