Abstract:
ABSTRACT
There are essentially two main methods for estimating demographic indices,
namely direct and indirect methods. The direct approach for estimation works
well with reliable, timely, and adequate data. The lack of dependable data as a
result of the poor functioning of vital registration systems and poor reporting of
events in surveys in developing countries had spawned indirect approaches.
Using data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), the
study sought to compare childhood mortality estimates using direct and indirect
methods. The MORTPAK software version 4.3 and STATA version 14 were
used to analyse the data. The direct estimations were done using STATA version
14 and the indirect estimations were carried out using the QFIVE application
based on MORTPAK software version 4.3. There were variations in estimations
from direct and indirect methods. The results showed that under-five and infant
mortality were higher, using both indirect and direct techniques for males
compared to females. Estimations from indirect methods were higher than those
from direct estimations. The Palloni-Heligman version of the Brass method
should be used to estimate infant and under-five mortalities in Ghana. This can
help fill the gap of under-reporting of infant and under-five mortality.
