Where there is no hospital: improving the notification of community deaths

• DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01524-x
• Publication Date: 2020-03-09T03:02:28Z
• Authors: Tim Adair; Megha Rajasekhar; Khin Sandar Bo; John Hart; Viola Kwa; Md. Ashfaqul Amin...; Matthew Reeve; Nicola Richards; Margarita Rondero...; Don de Savigny; Daniel Cobos Muñoz; Alan D. Lopez
• Keywords: Verbal autopsy; Champion; Notification system

Abstract Background Globally, an estimated two-thirds of all deaths occur in the community, majority which are not attended by a physician and remain unregistered. Identifying registering these civil registration vital statistics (CRVS) systems, ascertaining cause death, is thus critical challenge to ensure that policy benefits from reliable evidence on mortality levels patterns populations. In contrast traditional processes for registration, death notification can be faster more efficient at informing responsible government agencies about event triggering verbal autopsy death. Thus, innovative approaches notification, tailored suit setting, improve availability quality information community CRVS systems. Improving Here, we present case studies four countries (Bangladesh, Colombia, Myanmar Papua New Guinea) were part initial phases Bloomberg Data Health Initiative University Melbourne, each faces unique challenges registration. The taken promote improved through combination interventions, including integration with health sector, using various notifying agents methods, application communication technologies. One key factor success has been smoothing linking initiation interview. implemented champion active systems relation passive commonly place countries. Conclusions demonstrate significant potential improving reporting implementation practices country’s specific circumstances, geography, cultural factors, structure existing system, available human, technology resources. Strategic deployment some, or all, innovations result rapid improvements should trialled other settings.