# https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/BRSFEDCAT#codes\_section

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/https-www-idhsdata-org-idhs-action-variables-brsfedcat-codes-section/2972>\
**Category:** GLOBAL HEALTH\
**Created:** [May 21, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/https-www-idhsdata-org-idhs-action-variables-brsfedcat-codes-section/2972 "2019-05-21T18:15:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![hemistryhealth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6bbea6/32.png) [@hemistryhealth](https://forum.ipums.org/u/hemistryhealth)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/https-www-idhsdata-org-idhs-action-variables-brsfedcat-codes-section/2972/1 "2019-05-21T18:15:41Z")

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[https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/BRSFEDCAT#codes\_section](https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/BRSFEDCAT#codes_section)  
[https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/BRSFEDMO#description\_section](https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/BRSFEDMO#description_section)

Variable BREASTFEDMO, children breastfeeding status are recorded at 3-5 years prior to survey data collection. Is it accurate to deduce that all children of the women less than 3 years old at the time of data collection has not data value? I have used this variable in my analysis but raises a question if I am looking at children from 6-59 months old. If yes, what is the difference then with Variable BREASTFEDCAT records children born 5 years prior to survey data and did not include children that are dead. My samples are Phase VII survey in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe.

Basically, I am seeking the definition of the ‘children born in the 3-5 years of the survey’ and children born in the 5 years before the survey

Thank you for your time and help. Look forward to hearing your expert opinion.

Eunice

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**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\
**Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/https-www-idhsdata-org-idhs-action-variables-brsfedcat-codes-section/2972/2 "2019-05-21T20:00:04Z")

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I can certainly see how the description tab is confusing here. Depending on the survey sample, the question for BRFEDMO relates to either children born 3, 4, or 5 years prior to the survey. You can see this information as it relates to specific samples on the [universe tab](https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/BRSFEDMO#universe_section). Therefore, this question certainly relates to young children who are between the ages of 6 to 59 months old. You can also verify this yourself by tabulating responses of BRSFEDMO and BRSFEDCAT with [KIDCURAGE](https://www.idhsdata.org/idhs-action/variables/KIDCURAGE#codes_section). The difference between the BRSFEDMO and BRSFEDCAT variables is the former identifies the number of months a child was breastfed while the later more simple breastfeeding status categories.