Sensitivity of probabilistic record linkage for reported birth identification: Pró-Saúde Study.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of probabilistic record linkage for reported birth identification. Data from the Pró-Saúde Study cohort population were used comprising technical-administrative staff at a university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1999. A total of 92 records of subjects were linked to the database of the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC) using RecLink II program. Both reduced and amplified strategies of clerical review were used. The sensitivity for birth identification with the reduced strategy was 60.9%, while with the amplified strategy was 72.8%. The limited number of fields available and the high proportion of homonymous names were major obstacles for the attainment of more accurate results.