Attempting to merge NFHS 5 data with IHDS II survey data

HEALTH SURVEYS
1

Hello, everyone!

I am trying to ascertain the family composition. Since NFHS data does not provide details on the presence of in-laws in the household, however, the IHDS survey provides a detailed household composition data. I was wondering if anyone has worked on merging these two surveys.
If there was a way to merge these data sets through common geography identifiers (state, district, PSU) with sufficient alignment with NFHS. I am aware that the time period of these two surveys are quite different with IHDS 2 at 2011-12 and NFHS-5 during 2015-16.

2

From my understanding, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data corresponds to the following DHS Program samples:

The smallest administrative unit that is identified in the NFHS/DHS varies and is either the region (NFHS-1, NFHS-2, NFHS-3) or the district (NFHS-4, NFHS-5). Additionally, the district is the lowest geographic level identified in the India Human Development Surveys (IHDS) as noted in the FAQ (see question four). Since both the NFHS-4 and IHDS-2 include district identifiers, it is possible to summarize data for each district within the datasets and then merge them together by matching district identifiers. Note that this does not link households or persons between the surveys.

IPUMS DHS provides the sample-specific district in the variable GEOALT_IA2015. Since the district identifiers in the IHDS use the Census 2001 district identification number, you will want to be aware of possible changes that occurred in district boundaries. You should also note that the DHS sample uses a different numbering system that assigns a unique number to each district that does not repeat across states. Using both the state identifier as well as the labels that provide the district name will be helpful in accurately merging district-level data between the two surveys.

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3

Thank you so much for your input! I am attempting to examine the household structure in detail using the IHDS dataset and then merging it with the domestic violence data from NFHS 5. I will keep your suggestions in mind. It will not be easy, but it is good to know that at least it is achievable.