Estimating maternal mortality from population censuses: the case of Zimbabwe

Nicholas Jonga, Central Statistical Office
Godfrey Matsinde, Central Statistical Office
Kenneth Hill, Harvard University

This paper analyzes data on maternal mortality from the 1992 and 2002 Zimbabwe Censuses, which collected data on maternal deaths. Standard demographic techniques were used to evaluate the completeness of reporting of all female deaths and births. The completeness of reporting adult female deaths was assessed using the General Growth Balance and Synthetic Extinct Generations methods, while birth data was assessed using the P/F Ratio method. The results from the exercise were used to adjust the data. The 2002 maternal mortality ratio was adjusted upwards. The 1992 maternal mortality ratio for Zimbabwe was found to be complete; hence, no adjustment was done. Sub-national analysis will also be carried out. This analysis points to the feasibility of censuses in producing maternal mortality estimates, and particularly estimates of differentials by demographic socio-economic characteristics of respondents at both national and sub national levels.