Mother alive
(hl10)
File: Household Roster
Questions and instructions
Literal question
is (name's) natural mother alive?
Interviewer instructions
for children under age 17 years ask QS.10-13
For all children under 18, we want to know whether either of their own (natural) parents are listed in the
Household Listing, and their survival status. This information can be used to measure the prevalence of
orphanhood and child fostering in the population. For everyone age 18 years and more, HL10-13 will be
left blank.
By “natural” we mean the biological mother. In many cultures, people consider other people's children
whom they are raising as their own, especially children of their husband or sisters, etc. You should be
certain that the respondent understands that you are asking about the woman who gave birth to the
child.
Record whether or not the child's natural mother is still alive by circling the code corresponding to the
response given. If the child's natural mother is not alive or if the respondent does not know, skip to
HL12. Otherwise, continue to the question in the next column.
