Concept: Live Births and Comparison of Data Sources

MCHP Health Insurance Registry versus Department of Health/Manitoba Health

The investigation of a Birth Cohort looking at the educational achievements of students in Manitoba included looking at different sources of information for the number of live births in Manitoba. This investigation revealed differences in source information between Department of Health/Manitoba Health statistical reports and the MCHP Health Insurance Registry. Between 1979 and 1989 the difference in numbers between the two sources ranges from -2.8% to +3.8%.

The table below, Table 1.1 - Manitoba Live Births - 1979 to 1989 provides the reported numbers and percent difference between the two sources of information.



Table 1.1 - Manitoba Live Births - 1979 to 1989



Year	Dept. of Health / Manitoba Health	MCHP Registry	% Difference
1979	16042	16441	2.5%
1980	15694	16289	3.8%
1981	16404	16181	-1.4%
1982	16514	16185	-2.0%
1983	17036	**	**
1984	17116	16719	-2.3%
1985	17513	17180	-1.9%
1986	17521	17130	-2.2%
1987	17438	17024	-2.4%
1988	17582	17093	-2.8%
1989	17803	17345	-2.6%

** Data for 1983 was not used in the Birth Cohort study due to incomplete Education Standards Test data.

The % Difference column reports the percentage difference between the MCHP Health Insurance Registry population compared to the Dept. of Health/Manitoba Health population numbers.

Sources:



• MCHP Health Insurance Registry
  
• Manitoba Department of Health Statistical Bulletins from 1980 - 1984
  
• Manitoba Health Statistical Bulletins from 1985 - 1990