Monitoring cause-specific adult mortality in developing countries: A comparison of data sources for Addis Ababa and its implications for policy and research

Georges Reniers, Tekebash Araya, Ab Schaap, Abera Kumie, Derege Kebede, Nico Nagelkerke, Roel Coutinho, Eduard J. Sanders

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Hospital statistics of causes of death for developing countries may be biased when the utilization of hospital services is low or selective. Using Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as an example, we argue that hospital data can be useful for demonstrating general cause-specific mortality patterns. In addition, a comparison of hospital statistics with data from a surveillance of burials allows for the identification of weaknesses in health services provision. We find a low level of hospital services utilization during terminal illness. Despite similarities in the cause of death structure in the different data sources, hospital statistics under-estimate the prevalence of infectious diseases. In addition, we identify an important gender bias in the utilization of health services in the direction of males being significantly more likely to die in medical facilities than females.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1952-1957
Number of pages6
JournalSocial Science and Medicine
Volume61
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cause of death
  • Ethiopia
  • Gender
  • Hospital statistics
  • Methodology
  • Mortality
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Vital registration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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