The Demographic Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip 1995
West Bank and Gaza, 1995
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Reference ID
PSE-PCBS-DS1995-V1.0
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Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
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Identification
Survey ID Number
PSE-PCBS-DS1995-V1.0
Title
The Demographic Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip 1995
Translated Title
المسح الديمغرافي للضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة 1995
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Palestine | PSE |
Study type
Other Household Survey [hh/oth]
Series Information
The PCBS is responsible for making reliable demographic and social data available to Palestinian officials and members of the public including researchers Among the duties of the Bureau is the provision and analysis of demographic data pertaining to the Palestinian population both here and elsewhere A great deal of effort is being devoted at PCBS to institute a program on population statistics that provides such data There has been no Census in the Remaining West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1967 The available demographic data are therfore incomplete and lack credibility when checked for consistency as shown in a recent PCBS publication In order to fulfill its responsibilities with regard to demographic information the PCBS has conducted a fairly large demographic survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip during April-July 1995 This report presents preliminary findings from this study for the Remaining West Bank and Gaza Strip Results partaining to Jerusalem will be published in forthcoming reports
Initial Planning for this project began in early 1993 with backing from the PLO at that time The project has as its main objective the provision of basic demographic indicators at both the national and district levels Other purposes of the project include Preperation of a master sample frame to be used for drawing household samples until the implementation of the population census contribution to the institution building of PCBS
especially in the management of field operations and testing instruments procedures and instructions for use in planning for the population and housing census
This is an important study because it provides detailed demographic data on Palestinians residing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip according to international recommendations Specifically the survey was designed to furnish among other things basic information on population structure fertility mortality migration marriage education and housing conditions at both the national and district levels
Initial Planning for this project began in early 1993 with backing from the PLO at that time The project has as its main objective the provision of basic demographic indicators at both the national and district levels Other purposes of the project include Preperation of a master sample frame to be used for drawing household samples until the implementation of the population census contribution to the institution building of PCBS
especially in the management of field operations and testing instruments procedures and instructions for use in planning for the population and housing census
This is an important study because it provides detailed demographic data on Palestinians residing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip according to international recommendations Specifically the survey was designed to furnish among other things basic information on population structure fertility mortality migration marriage education and housing conditions at both the national and district levels
Abstract
To improve the situation the PCBS has decided to undertake a fairly large demographic survey The main purpose of this survey is to provide basic demographic estimates at both the national and district level filling important gaps in existing statistics and reducing uncertainties surrounding the utility of available data Specifically, the survey provides detailed data on the following topics Population structure Female fertility Fertility preference Infant and child mortality Maternal and adult mortality Internal and international migration Marriage Family and household composition Educational attainmentHousing conditions
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
individual/ Household
Version
Version Description
Version 1.0 dataset for public distribution
Version Date
2014-09-30
Scope
Notes
The Demographic Survey questionnaire consists of seven main parts Control Sheet which includes items related to quality control sample identification interview schedule and interview results Household Roster which includes questions related to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of persons Household Mortality Schedule which includes questions related to deaths in the household during the past 24 months. Housing Schedule which includes questions on housing and housing conditions Relatives Abroad Schedule which includes questions on the number and the demographic characteristics of close relatives residing abroad Women's Schedule which includes questions mainly related to ever married women age 14-54 years Birth History which includes questions related to the characteristics of all births occurring to ever married women eligible for interview Answers to the first five parts of the questionnaires were obtained by interviewing the household head or any adult member of the household in cases where the head was not present during enumeration The last two sections of the questionnaire were completed by interviewing all eligible women The questionnaire was worded in colloquial Arabic Questions were written in full on the questionnaire and strict instructions were given to interviewers to read all questions verbatim during the interviews
Topics
| Topic | Vocabulary | URI |
|---|---|---|
| DS 1995[12.10] | CESSDA | Link |
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
The target population consists of all Palestinian households that usually reside in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Geographic Unit
- Region (West Bank, Gaza Strip)
- locality type (urban, rural, camp)
- Governorates
- locality type (urban, rural, camp)
- Governorates
Universe
The target population in this sample survey comprises all households living in West Bank and Gaza Strip excluding institutional population and nomads
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics | Palestein |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| European Commission | financial assistance | responded to the survey instrument |
Other Identifications/Acknowledgments
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| European Commission | financial assistance | responded to the survey instrument |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
A sampling strategy comprises two main elements: a sample design describing the scheme by which the sample of survey units is selected, and the estimators by which survey results can be computed from sample data. The two elements are usually closely interrelated, and determine the quality or reliability of survey estimates. In this section both elements will be described briefly. A more detailed description is provided in a separate working paper (Abu Hassan and Tamsfoss 1995).
The sample design adopted is a stratified three stage design for selection of households to be surveyed. At the first stage a sample of localities was selected. The sample localities have been subdivided into cells of approximately equal size, and a number of cells were selected randomly from each of the sample localities at the second stage. At the third and final stage, a sample of households was selected from the sample cells. For all the demographic variables included in the survey, records were taken for all members of the sample household.
Although a two-stage design would have been preferable, the present, more complex one is partly an outcome of limited availability of data on which sample designing usually is based, specifically data on the population size of various small area units, e.g. cells. The sample designing was undertaken in parallel with the updating of maps for the localities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the winter and spring 1995 - another ongoing PCBS project. Due to the limited time available, the design had to be completed before a complete set of updated locality maps was ready, implying the small area information needed was available for only a limited number of localities. However, the map updating was coordinated with the sample designing in such a way that once the first stage sample of localities was selected, mapping of these localities was given highest priority, thus offering an opportunity to subdivide sample localities into cells with a known measure of (population) size.
The present design is based on listings of localities provided by Barghouti and Daibas (1993) for the West Bank, and Abdeen and Abu-Libdeh (1993) for the Gaza Strip. Even though the population figures are rough estimates as per 1992-93, produced mainly by questioning local administration informants (e.g. Mukhtars) about the number of families in the locality, or projected estimates, they appear to be fairly well attuned with other sources (e.g. Benvenisti and Khayat 1988). Furthermore, the listings applied as a frame comprise more localities than previous ones, and should thus be more complete. However, the coverage may still be less than - although close to - 100% in terms of areas.
The first stage comprises the assigning of localities (as listed by Barghouti and Daibas 1993; Abdeen and Abu Libdeh 1993) to be the Primary Sampling Units (PSUs), the stratification of the PSUs, and the selection of sample PSUs from each stratum. The stratification is a subdivision of the PSUs according to district, administrative status of the locality, and estimated population (households) size. The PSUs were selected independently for each stratum, and with probability proportionate to estimated population size. In the Gaza Strip all localities were selected. The same applies to the district capitals, municipal localities and refugee camps in the West Bank, except in two strata in A Ramallah district. Whenever all PSUs in a stratum are selected, the design is a two stage one, and each single PSU is to be regarded as a separate substratum. The two stage design also applies for several of the small villages (single cell localities). As a matter of fact, the major parts of the sample is selected in two stages only, contributing favorably to smaller sampling error as compared to a strict three stage design.
The second stage subdivision of sample PSUs into cells (or Secondary Sampling Units - SSUs) was done on maps indicating location of buildings and a rough estimate of the number of dwelling in each building. Thus, for each sample PSU or locality as a whole, there are two size measures available; the estimated number of households, and the roughly estimated number of dwelling units. Although these sets of measures proved to be positively correlated, they departed significantly in most cases. However, for the cells, the number of dwelling units were the only measure of size available. Therefore, when selecting the sample cells from each sample PSU with probability proportionate to size, the size in terms of dwelling units had to be applied, i.e. a conceptually different size measure than the one applied at the first stage of selection (households).
For each sample cell the population has been listed by enumeration of buildings (map reference), and dwelling units. It should be noted that the number of dwelling units in each building was assessed by listers from outside no thorough inquiries were made as to whether they were inhabited or not. It was thus expected that errors would occur rather frequently - a problem which is to be evaluated separately on the basis of data collected during the survey. The listing of dwelling units constitutes the Sampling Frame from which the household sample was selected at a third stage by systematic sampling.
The planned sample size was 15,000 households. However, due to the sampling frame imperfections which were envisaged (several non-eligible units included), oversampling was carried out at a rate of approximately 30%, i.e. the gross sample selected at the outset comprised around 20,000 dwelling units.
The sampling design and sample allocation yield a household sample with varying inclusion probabilities. In order to have unbiased results, it is thus recommended that all estimates are based on weighed observations, the weights being the inverse of the respective inclusion probabilities.
All households in a cell have the same probability of being selected, however varying from cell to cell. It should be noted that non-eligible dwelling units (i.e. units which are not inhabited by households) have been removed from the sample. This does not affect the inclusion probabilities or the weights . The actual values of the weights are in the range 0.3 to 3.0. However, 80 % of the weights are in the range 0.7 to 1.4. Only a very few (small) cells are near the extremes.
Since the sampling design is a complex multi-stage one, variance must be calculated with other methods than those applicable to simple random sampling. In order to carry out the calculations, the software CENVAR (US Bureau of the Census 1993) has been used.
The sample design adopted is a stratified three stage design for selection of households to be surveyed. At the first stage a sample of localities was selected. The sample localities have been subdivided into cells of approximately equal size, and a number of cells were selected randomly from each of the sample localities at the second stage. At the third and final stage, a sample of households was selected from the sample cells. For all the demographic variables included in the survey, records were taken for all members of the sample household.
Although a two-stage design would have been preferable, the present, more complex one is partly an outcome of limited availability of data on which sample designing usually is based, specifically data on the population size of various small area units, e.g. cells. The sample designing was undertaken in parallel with the updating of maps for the localities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the winter and spring 1995 - another ongoing PCBS project. Due to the limited time available, the design had to be completed before a complete set of updated locality maps was ready, implying the small area information needed was available for only a limited number of localities. However, the map updating was coordinated with the sample designing in such a way that once the first stage sample of localities was selected, mapping of these localities was given highest priority, thus offering an opportunity to subdivide sample localities into cells with a known measure of (population) size.
The present design is based on listings of localities provided by Barghouti and Daibas (1993) for the West Bank, and Abdeen and Abu-Libdeh (1993) for the Gaza Strip. Even though the population figures are rough estimates as per 1992-93, produced mainly by questioning local administration informants (e.g. Mukhtars) about the number of families in the locality, or projected estimates, they appear to be fairly well attuned with other sources (e.g. Benvenisti and Khayat 1988). Furthermore, the listings applied as a frame comprise more localities than previous ones, and should thus be more complete. However, the coverage may still be less than - although close to - 100% in terms of areas.
The first stage comprises the assigning of localities (as listed by Barghouti and Daibas 1993; Abdeen and Abu Libdeh 1993) to be the Primary Sampling Units (PSUs), the stratification of the PSUs, and the selection of sample PSUs from each stratum. The stratification is a subdivision of the PSUs according to district, administrative status of the locality, and estimated population (households) size. The PSUs were selected independently for each stratum, and with probability proportionate to estimated population size. In the Gaza Strip all localities were selected. The same applies to the district capitals, municipal localities and refugee camps in the West Bank, except in two strata in A Ramallah district. Whenever all PSUs in a stratum are selected, the design is a two stage one, and each single PSU is to be regarded as a separate substratum. The two stage design also applies for several of the small villages (single cell localities). As a matter of fact, the major parts of the sample is selected in two stages only, contributing favorably to smaller sampling error as compared to a strict three stage design.
The second stage subdivision of sample PSUs into cells (or Secondary Sampling Units - SSUs) was done on maps indicating location of buildings and a rough estimate of the number of dwelling in each building. Thus, for each sample PSU or locality as a whole, there are two size measures available; the estimated number of households, and the roughly estimated number of dwelling units. Although these sets of measures proved to be positively correlated, they departed significantly in most cases. However, for the cells, the number of dwelling units were the only measure of size available. Therefore, when selecting the sample cells from each sample PSU with probability proportionate to size, the size in terms of dwelling units had to be applied, i.e. a conceptually different size measure than the one applied at the first stage of selection (households).
For each sample cell the population has been listed by enumeration of buildings (map reference), and dwelling units. It should be noted that the number of dwelling units in each building was assessed by listers from outside no thorough inquiries were made as to whether they were inhabited or not. It was thus expected that errors would occur rather frequently - a problem which is to be evaluated separately on the basis of data collected during the survey. The listing of dwelling units constitutes the Sampling Frame from which the household sample was selected at a third stage by systematic sampling.
The planned sample size was 15,000 households. However, due to the sampling frame imperfections which were envisaged (several non-eligible units included), oversampling was carried out at a rate of approximately 30%, i.e. the gross sample selected at the outset comprised around 20,000 dwelling units.
The sampling design and sample allocation yield a household sample with varying inclusion probabilities. In order to have unbiased results, it is thus recommended that all estimates are based on weighed observations, the weights being the inverse of the respective inclusion probabilities.
All households in a cell have the same probability of being selected, however varying from cell to cell. It should be noted that non-eligible dwelling units (i.e. units which are not inhabited by households) have been removed from the sample. This does not affect the inclusion probabilities or the weights . The actual values of the weights are in the range 0.3 to 3.0. However, 80 % of the weights are in the range 0.7 to 1.4. Only a very few (small) cells are near the extremes.
Since the sampling design is a complex multi-stage one, variance must be calculated with other methods than those applicable to simple random sampling. In order to carry out the calculations, the software CENVAR (US Bureau of the Census 1993) has been used.
Response Rate
The response rate in the West Bank 97.379% Gaza Strip 99.10% Palestine 98.22%.
Weighting
As noted calculations of estimators from the demographic survey require the use of weights because of the varying inclusion probabilities that the sample design entails The weights for a given household is simply the inverse of its inclusion probability This yields the so called expansion weight which will expand the sample to the total population However because the sample was drawn under the assumption that the relative distribution of the population had been estimated correctly but not necessarily the absolute totals the expansions weight have not been used Rather the so called relative weights have been employed For each case they have been calculated as the expansion weight divided by the mean of all the expansion weights The weights used are the same for households household members women and children (births) since the sample design required that all such lower level units pertaining to a household were selected during enumeration
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1995-04-29 | 1995-07-23 | west bank |
| 1995-06-03 | 1995-07-23 | gaza strip |
Time periods
| Start date | End date | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1995-04-30 | 1995-04-30 | Palestain |
Data Collection Mode
Face-to-face [f2f]
Supervision
For purposes of field administration the West Bank and Gaza Strip were divided into three areas each (North, Middle, and South) A field work coordinator was appointed in each area to supervise field operations and coordinate work between the central office and the District teams Work in the field was carried out by teams each consisting of 5 interviewers a supervisor a field editor and a lister There were a total of 20 teams (16 in the West Bank and 6 in Gaza Strip) Teams were distributed to the different Districts according to sample allocation ranging between 1-3 teams in each District Although team work was emphasized throughout the training and implementation, a clear division of labor among team members was also evident
Data Collection Notes
Great attention was given to training in order to ensure that the survey is carried out under the same conditions throughout the country providing consistency in definitions understanding, and wording of the questions All selected applicants received a two-week training session combining general social science research interviewing with specialized training on the demographic survey instruments and procedures Centralized staged training by the same trainers was held in Ramallah for the West Bank and Gaza City for the Gaza Strip trainees
Training combined both theoretical and practical components emphasizing active learning through groups discussion Trainees were divided into teams (8 in the West Bank and 3 in Gaza Strip) according to prospective District of work, and each was supervised by an assistant trainer The following topics were covered in this training general background concerning the survey and social research design roles and duties of the interviewers and other field staff field work administration procedures and work flow sample selection interviewing techniques recording the answers neutral probing and confidentiality of data Interviewers supervisors and editors for the survey were selected according to their performance on a written examination administered at the end of the training session
Training combined both theoretical and practical components emphasizing active learning through groups discussion Trainees were divided into teams (8 in the West Bank and 3 in Gaza Strip) according to prospective District of work, and each was supervised by an assistant trainer The following topics were covered in this training general background concerning the survey and social research design roles and duties of the interviewers and other field staff field work administration procedures and work flow sample selection interviewing techniques recording the answers neutral probing and confidentiality of data Interviewers supervisors and editors for the survey were selected according to their performance on a written examination administered at the end of the training session
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
e Demographic Survey questionnaire consists of seven main parts Control Sheet which includes items related to quality control sample identification interview schedule and interview results Household Roster which includes questions related to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of persons Household Mortality Schedule which includes questions related to deaths in the household during the past 24 months. Housing Schedule which includes questions on housing and housing conditions Relatives Abroad Schedule which includes questions on the number and the demographic characteristics of close relatives residing abroad Women's Schedule which includes questions mainly related to ever married women age 14-54 years Birth History which includes questions related to the characteristics of all births occurring to ever married women eligible for interview Answers to the first five parts of the questionnaires were obtained by interviewing the household head or any adult member of the household in cases where the head was not present during enumeration The last two sections of the questionnaire were completed by interviewing all eligible women The questionnaire was worded in colloquial Arabic Questions were written in full on the questionnaire and strict instructions were given to interviewers to read all questions verbatim during the interviews
Data Processing
Data Editing
A data entry template was designed to reflect an exact image of the questionnaire, and included various electronic checks logical check range checks consisting checks and cross-validation Weekly thorough checks on the overall consistency of the data files and sample allocation were also performed after data entry Questionnaire containing field-related errors were sent back to the field for corrections
EPI-INFO Version 6.02 supported with NAFITHA-Version 4.00 (Arabization program) was used in data entry Data entry was organized in a number of files corresponding to the main parts of the questionnaire as shown in the following diagram
Final tabulation of results was performed using the well know statistical package SPSS for Windows (version 6.0) and specialized demographic analysis programs
EPI-INFO Version 6.02 supported with NAFITHA-Version 4.00 (Arabization program) was used in data entry Data entry was organized in a number of files corresponding to the main parts of the questionnaire as shown in the following diagram
Final tabulation of results was performed using the well know statistical package SPSS for Windows (version 6.0) and specialized demographic analysis programs
Data Appraisal
Estimates of Sampling Error
Detailed information on the sampling Error is available in the Survey Report
Data Appraisal
Detailed information on the data appraisal is available in the Survey Report.
Access policy
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division of Users Services | Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics | diwan@pcbs.gov.ps | WWW.PCBS.GOV.PS |
Confidentiality
Article (17(
1. All individual information and data submitted to the Bureau for statistical purposes shall be treated as confidential and shall not be divulged, in whole or in part, to any individual or to a public or private body, or used for any purpose other than for preparing statistical tables.
2. The Bureau shall endeavor to issue official statistical publications in aggregate tables, which do not disclose individual data, in conformity with the confidentiality of statistical data
Access conditions
pledges the utilization of "data" or any copies thereof shall be limited to the purposes agreed upon including not granting any third parties any access to these data. Restrictions applies to any data duplication or transformed setting for purposes other than meeting the requirements of the statistical programs used in data analysis.
2. Utilization of "data" or any copies thereof is limited to personal computers normally .
3. pledges not to alter the value of any observation in the original "data"; nevertheless, this does not apply on subjecting data to any processes or procedures aiming to derive new variables. The first party does not bear any professional, administrative or financial responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of changes in the variables values.
2. Utilization of "data" or any copies thereof is limited to personal computers normally .
3. pledges not to alter the value of any observation in the original "data"; nevertheless, this does not apply on subjecting data to any processes or procedures aiming to derive new variables. The first party does not bear any professional, administrative or financial responsibility for any losses incurred as a result of changes in the variables values.
Citation requirements
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics 1996 The Demographic Survey in the West Bank and Gaza Strip Preliminary Report Ramallah Palestine
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics | Palestine | diwan@pcbs.gov.ps | www.pcbs.gov.ps |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) provide you with the data as is, without any warranty or responsibility implied. PCBS accepts no responsibility for the results and/or implications of any analysis and/or other actions conducted with this data
Copyright
© 2014 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, reference period of data 1995
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI-PSE-PCBS-DS-1995-V1.0
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics | PCBS | Palestinian Nationa Authority | Production and execute the survey |
Date of Metadata Production
2014-09-30
DDI Document version
Version 1.0 (September 2014)