Collecting data on HIV/AIDS mortality during household surveys: A randomized validation study in Malawi

BACKGROUNDIn countries with limited civil registration, household surveys do not include questions on HIV-related mortality. OBJECTIVEWe aim to test whether accurate data on the HIV status of the deceased siblings of survey respondents could be collected during household surveys conducted in low-and middleincome countries. METHODSWe added HIV questions to the standard module on adult and maternal mortality used in household surveys.We compared the data generated by these questions to data collected by the Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Malawi.We randomly assigned men and women aged 15-59 years to face-to-face (FTF) interviewing or the more confidential method of audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI).We compared survey reports of adult deaths to prospective reference data on mortality and HIV status.