Patterns and risk factors for deaths from external causes in rural Malawi over 10 years: a prospective population-based study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2323-z
• Publication Date: 2015-10-09T01:54:10Z
• Authors: Steady Chasimpha; Estelle McLean; Menard Chihana; Lackson Kachiwanda; Olivier Koole; Terence Tafatatha; Hazzie Mvula; Moffat Nyirenda; Amelia C. Crampin; Judith R. Glynn
• Keywords: Biostatistics; Verbal autopsy; External cause

Little is known about the pattern or risk factors for deaths from external causes in sub-Saharan Africa: there a lack of reliable data, and public health priorities have been focussed on other causes. This study assessed prevalence factor rural Malawi. We analysed data 2002–2012 Karonga demographic surveillance site which covers ~35,000 people northern Verbal autopsies with clinician coding are used to assign cause death. Repeated annual surveys capture socio-economic factors. Using Poisson regression models we calculated age, sex cause-specific rates rate ratios deaths. nested case–control study, matched time period, investigate these deaths, using conditional logistic regression. In 315,580 person years at (pyar) were 2673 including 143 The mortality was 47.1/100,000 pyar (95 % CI 32.5-68.2) among under-fives; 20.1/100,000 13.1–32.2) 5–14 year olds; 46.3/100,000 35.8–59.9) 15–44 98.7/100,000 71.8–135.7) those aged ≥45 years. Drowning (including four epilepsy), road injury suicide leading Adult males had highest (100.7/100,000 pyar), compared 21.8/100,000pyar adult females, continued increase increasing age men. Alcohol contributed 21 all males. Children high drowning (9.2/100,000 pyar, 95 5.5-15.6) but low (2.6/100,000 1.0–7.0). Among olds, attending school associated fewer than who never attended (adjusted OR 0.15, 0.08-0.81). Fishermen increased risks death farmers. this population lowest causes, 5 times females. Drowning, death; alcohol consumption more one quarter men proportion alcohol-related men, predominance drowning, linked uncontrolled epilepsy, possible protective effect attendance suggest areas intervention.