Linking mortuary data improves vital statistics on cause of death of children under five years in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine 16. Peace & justice 3. Good health
DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12624 Publication Date: 2015-10-20T15:06:27Z
ABSTRACT
Reducing child mortality requires good information on its causes. Whilst South African vital registration data have improved, the quality of cause-of-death remains inadequate. To improve this, from death certificates were linked with forensic mortuaries in Western Cape Province.A local surveillance system was established 2007 by Health Department to quality. Cause-of-death captured copies notification forms collected at Home Affairs Offices. Using unique identifiers, additional mortuary records. Causes coded ICD-10 classification. children under five compared those for 2011.Cause-of-death markedly improved mortuaries. The proportion ill-defined causes halved (25-12%), and leading cause rankings changed. Lower respiratory tract infections moved above prematurity rank first, accounting 20.8% deaths peaking infants aged 1-3 months. Only 11% lower occurred hospital, resulting 86% being certified Road traffic increased 1.1-3.1% (27-75) homicides 3 28.The usefulness WC enhanced linking data. Given profile, interventions are required prevent manage LRTI, diarrhoea injuries reduce neonatal deaths.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Coming soon ....
REFERENCES (20)
CITATIONS (8)