Tsogolo La Thanzi (TLT): Eighth Wave, Malawi, 2011 [Healthy Futures] Version 1

Tsogolo la Thanzi (TLT) is a longitudinal study in Balaka, Malawi designed to examine how young people navigate reproduction in an AIDS epidemic. Tsogolo la Thanzi means "Healthy Futures" in Chichewa, Malawi's most widely spoken language. New data is being collected to develop better understandings of the reproductive goals and behavior of young adults in Malawi -- the first cohort to never have experienced life without AIDS. To understand these patterns of family formation in a rapidly changing setting, TLT used the following approach: an intensive longitudinal design where respondents are interviewed every four months at TLT's centralized research center. Data collection began in May of 2009 and was completed in June of 2012. To assess changes on a longer time-horizon, a follow-up survey referred to as Tsogolo la Thanzi 2 (TLT-2) was fielded between June and August of 2016. This study contains data collected from the eighth wave of the multi-wave study. Each of waves 1-8 is comprised of three data files. The Women dataset (dataset 1) is a random sample of women aged 15-25 in 2009 (N=1,505 at wave 1) drawn from a census of the area. Likewise, the Random Men dataset (dataset 3) is a random sample of men aged 15-25 in 2009 (N=574 at wave 1) drawn from a census of the area. The Male Partners dataset (dataset 2) contains survey data from sexual and romantic partners who were referred into the study by respondents in the women's file; this is a non-random sample of male partners, so analysts should be especially cautious with inferences. Topics covered across all waves include relationships, religion, HIV/AIDS, politics, family composition, mental health, sex and protection, pregnancy, marriage, sexually transmitted diseases, future expectations, school enrollment status, goods purchased/received, and diet. Modules specific to wave 8 include: health services, travel, treatment optimism, and parent information. Additional demographic variables in each dataset include age and education. The Tsogolo La Thanzi project administered a survey asking females about their reproductive behavior in Balaka, Malawi. It sought to determine prevalence of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), characteristics of respondents pregnancy(s), and marriage and family history. The study additionally interviewed the male partners of these women and also random men of the same age, asking both groups similar questions. Tsogolo La Thanzi (TLT) is an ongoing longitudinal study of young Malawians living within 7-kilometer radius of Balaka. The data was collected during face-to-face interviews from a simple random sample. This particular study is the eighth wave of the multi-wave project. Variables in each dataset include changes in housing, family composition, children, employment, marriage, relationships, sex, religion, pregnancy history, fertility preferences, HIV/AIDS, and self-rated health/happiness. Additional demographic variables in each dataset include age and education. Simple random sample Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: Women DS2: Male Partners DS3: Random Men Young women and men age 15-25 in 2009 living in a 7km radius around Balaka, Malawi. Smallest Geographic Unit: None face-to-face interviewFor further information please visit the Tsogolo La Thanzi website.