The National Survey on Population and Family Health (NSPFH), Morocco-2018: a Data Quality Assessment

Abstract

The National Survey on Population and Family Health (NSPFH) is an important source of data in Morocco. Its objective is to assess, periodically, the state of population health and the impact of policies and programs put in place, by updating the main demographic and health indicators. The report of the sixth NSPFH, conducted during the period October 2017-January 2018, illustrates updated socio-demographic data and the new prevalence of several diseases. As the NSPFH results are a reference for decision-makers, researchers and professionals, it seems necessary to promote them and give them more credibility. The objective of this paper is to verify the reliability of the NSPFH data and results using demographic data quality assessment methods (graphic methods: age-gender pyramid and distribution by gender and area of residency, and statistical methods: non-response rate and age accuracy indexes) to ensure if they are of good quality. This study showed that the NSPFH-2018 data were of good quality. Indeed, the non-response rate did not exceed 1.1% for all questionnaires (household 1.1%, woman 0.5% and elderly 1.1%). The age-gender pyramid confirmed the demographic transition towards ageing and the downward trend of fertility in Morocco. The distribution by area of residency confirmed the trend towards urbanization of the country (61% urban and 39% rural). The Whipple (1.05), Myers (4.73), Bachi (2.31) indexes and the United Nations Combined Index (31.21) were all within the standards for a good quality of age declaration. In addition, the results were consistent with each other and in line with the national and international health context.