Codes

This variable is not available for any of the currently selected samples.

Description

MENSTLASTSTART denotes the first day of the last menstrual period. This variable is a combination of MENSTLASTSTARTUNIT, which indicates the unit for the reported number (days, weeks, months, years, other), and MENSTLASTSTARTNUM, which indicates the actual number.

Both the unit and the number are embedded in the variable's coding, such that the first digit signifies unit (1= days, 2= weeks, 3= months, 4=years) and the next two digits report the actual number of days, weeks, months, or years. Therefore, numbers in the 100s mean time of the last period was reported in days, numbers in the 200s mean it was reported in weeks, numbers in the 300s mean it was reported in months, and numbers in the 400s mean it was reported in years. For example, 101 means "1 day" and 120 means “20 days”. Similarly, 201 means "1 week" and 220 means “20 weeks”; 301 means "1 month" and 320 means “20 months”; finally, 401 means "1 year" and 420 means “20 years”.

Comparability

The data are comparable apart from one significant universe difference: some samples directed the survey question only to ever-married women.

Most samples report a maximum value of 30. Values higher than 30 have been combined into a single top-code.

Universe

Availability

This variable is not available for the currently selected unit of analysis.