Malawi Young Adult Couples Reproductive Health Data 2009-2015

Tsogolo La Thanzi (TLT) provides longitudinal couples data from a study of young adults in Balaka, Malawi, focusing on reproduction during an AIDS epidemic. The dataset links partners across 10 survey waves from 2009 to 2015, with each unique couple contributing 10 observations detailing relationship status per wave. Data were collected via interviews every four months at a centralized research center, with a 95% baseline interview completion rate.

Use Cases

• Analyze changes in relationship status across the 10 survey waves for linked couples identified by COUPLEID.
• Merge data using MALEID and FEMALEID to conduct dyadic analyses of reproductive goals and sexual behavior.
• Study the intersection of HIV risk, pregnancy, and family planning decisions within linked couples over a 6-year period.
• Investigate patterns of marriage and fertility using the longitudinal structure of the 10-wave panel data.

Strengths

• Longitudinal design with 10 waves of data collection spanning from 2009 to 2015.
• High baseline response rate of 95% for completed interviews.
• Includes unique identifiers (COUPLEID, MALEID, FEMALEID) for merging with main TLT study datasets.

Limitations

• Geographic scope is limited to young adults living within a 7-kilometer radius of Balaka, Malawi.
• Sample size and number of unique couples are not specified in the provided input.
• Data collection concluded in 2015, limiting analysis of recent trends.

Provenance

Source

ICPSR Harvested Dataverse, authored by Sara Yeatman.

Collection Method

Intensive longitudinal design with interviews conducted every four months at a centralized research center.

Time Range

2009 to 2015.

Freshness

Data covers 2009-2015; last metadata update was 2026-02-23.

Geography

Balaka, Malawi (respondents within a 7-kilometer radius).