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Constructing Wealth Index in IR file [message #26349] Fri, 10 March 2023 21:48 Go to next message
kmdshoyaib is currently offline  kmdshoyaib
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2022
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Hi there, if i want to construct a new wealth index in IR file using similar methodology used by DHS without including toilet and water source, can i do it using the variables available in IR file such as household has Electricity, Radio, TV, Bicycle etc?

Many variables such as Mattress, Chair, Sewing Machine, Water pump are not available in IR file and are available in HR file.

So do I need to merge IR file and HR file or can I make a new wealth index without those variables from HR file?

Thanks in advance
Re: Constructing Wealth Index in IR file [message #26396 is a reply to message #26349] Wed, 15 March 2023 14:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Janet-DHS is currently offline  Janet-DHS
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Registered: April 2022
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Following is a response from DHS staff member, Tom Pullum:

The wealth index is calculated for households, including households that have no eligible respondents for the surveys of women and men. All the data for the index are in the HR file. If you start with the HR file and drop all the subscripted variables that refer to individuals in the household, you will have everything that is available for the principal components analysis. The DHS website gives details on what variables are used in the construction for each survey. You can work from that list, minus variables you want to omit.
Re: Constructing Wealth Index in IR file [message #28405 is a reply to message #26396] Thu, 28 December 2023 20:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
carterodell is currently offline  carterodell
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Registered: December 2023
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Each household's wealth index is computed, even if no women or males in that household are selected to participate in the surveys. Find all the index data in the HR file. For the principle components analysis, all you need is to begin with the HR file and remove any subscripted variables that pertain to household members. The DHS website provides information on the factors used to build each survey. You can use that list as a starting point, removing any variables you see unnecessary.


Re: Constructing Wealth Index in IR file [message #28493 is a reply to message #26349] Thu, 18 January 2024 19:06 Go to previous message
evawillms is currently offline  evawillms
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Registered: January 2024
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kmdshoyaib wrote on Fri, 10 March 2023 21:48
Hi there, if i want to construct a new wealth index in IR file using similar methodology used by DHS without including toilet and water source, can i do it using the variables available in IR file such as household has Electricity, Radio, TV, Bicycle etc?

Many variables such as Mattress, Chair, Sewing Machine, Water pump are not available in IR file and are available in HR file.

So do I need to merge IR file and HR file or can I make a new wealth index without those variables from HR file?

Thanks in advance
If you want to construct a new wealth index in the IR (Individual Recode) file using a methodology similar to the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), but some variables required for the index are only available in the HR (Household Recode) file, you have a couple of options:

Option 1: Merge IR and HR files
1. Merge the IR file and HR file using a unique identifier that links individuals to their respective households.
2. Once you have merged the files, you will have access to variables from both files in a single dataset.
3. Use the available variables from both files to construct your new wealth index following the methodology used by DHS.
4. Include variables such as household possessions (e.g., mattress, chair, sewing machine, water pump) from the HR file in your wealth index construction, along with the variables available in the IR file (e.g., household has electricity, radio, TV, bicycle).
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