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Subnational variations in the quality of household survey data in sub-Saharan Africa

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Subnational variations in the quality of household survey data in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Valentin Seidler, Edson C. Utazi, Amelia B. Finaret, Sebastian Luckeneder, Gregor Zens, Maksym Bodarenko, Abigail W. Smith, Sarah E. K. Bradley, Andrew J. Tatem, Patrick Webb
Source: Nature Communications, Vol 16, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2025)
Publisher Information: Nature Portfolio, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Science
Subject Terms: Science
Description: Abstract Nationally representative household surveys collect geocoded data that are vital to tackling health and other development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Scholars and practitioners generally assume uniform data quality but subnational variation of errors in household data has never been investigated at high spatial resolution. Here, we explore within-country variation in the quality of most recent household surveys for 35 African countries at 5 × 5 km resolution and district levels. Findings show a striking heterogeneity in the subnational distribution of sampling and measurement errors. Data quality degrades with greater distance from settlements, and missing data as well as imprecision of estimates add to quality problems that can result in vulnerable remote populations receiving less than optimal services and needed resources. Our easy-to-access geospatial estimates of survey data quality highlight the need to invest in better targeting of household surveys in remote areas.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2041-1723
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2041-1723
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58776-5
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/d139cff3d56f4300b0bc071eb2ce7b9c
Accession Number: edsdoj.139cff3d56f4300b0bc071eb2ce7b9c
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
Abstract:Abstract Nationally representative household surveys collect geocoded data that are vital to tackling health and other development challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Scholars and practitioners generally assume uniform data quality but subnational variation of errors in household data has never been investigated at high spatial resolution. Here, we explore within-country variation in the quality of most recent household surveys for 35 African countries at 5 × 5 km resolution and district levels. Findings show a striking heterogeneity in the subnational distribution of sampling and measurement errors. Data quality degrades with greater distance from settlements, and missing data as well as imprecision of estimates add to quality problems that can result in vulnerable remote populations receiving less than optimal services and needed resources. Our easy-to-access geospatial estimates of survey data quality highlight the need to invest in better targeting of household surveys in remote areas.
ISSN:20411723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-58776-5