Dropping duplicate observations based on criteria

[Md Anik Islam]

* Example generated by -dataex-. For more info, type help dataex
clear
input int a01 byte mid
1 1
1 1
1 2
1 3
1 4
2 1
2 2
2 3
3 1
3 2
3 3
3 3
3 4
4 1
4 1
4 2
4 2
4 3
4 4
end

Here, a01 stands for 'Household ID' while mid stands for 'Member ID'.

I want to keep information of a member only once for one household. But there are duplicate member ID (mid) for one household. Therefore, I want to remove row 2,12,15,17 for example.

I have a large dataset. I have curtailed the dataset to simplify the problem.

Can you give me the necessary codes to get information of a member only once for one household?

[Md Anik Islam]

This problem has been solved.


* Generate a unique identifier for each household
egen household_id = group(a01)

* List duplicate rows within each household
duplicates report household_id mid

* Remove duplicate rows within each household
duplicates drop household_id mid, force

* Drop the household_id variable
drop household_id

list