Capture-recapture methods for estimation of fertility and mortality in a rural district of Turkey

The study used capture-recapture methods to determine if information on births, deaths and family planning use obtained from two data sources provides the same or more complete information than that available from a single source. Five different data sources used were: village heads (mukhtars), community health volunteers, primary health care centres, maternal and child care units and local administrative units (health group presidencies) in 10 selected villages in a rural area of Turkey from May to October 1999. Although the numbers of deaths and births were estimated, no estimation of the number of women using any family planning method could be made. The study highlights some data collection problems of the surveillance system in Turkey and recommends that the routine surveillance systems be strengthened.