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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
immunology and microbiology
Causes of deaths using verbal autopsy among adolescents and adults in rural western Kenya
Tropical Medicine and International Health, Volume 13, No. 10, Year 2008
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Description
Objective: To establish causes and patterns of deaths among adolescents and adults (age >11 years) using verbal autopsy (VA) in a rural area of western Kenya where malaria and HIV are common. Methods: Village reporters reported all deaths in Asembo and Gem (population 135 000), an area under routine demographic surveillance. After an interval of ≥1 month, a trained interviewer used a structured questionnaire to ask the caretaker about signs and symptoms that preceded death. Three clinical officers independently reviewed the interviews and assigned two unranked causes of death; a common cause was designated as the cause of death. Results: In 2003, 1816 deaths were reported from residents; 48% were male and 72% were between 20 and 64 years of age. Most residents (97%) were ill before death, with 60% of illnesses lasting more than 2 months; 87% died at home. Care was sought by 96%; a health facility was the most common source, visited by 73%. For 1759 persons (97%), a common cause of death was designated. Overall, 74% of deaths were attributed to infectious causes. HIV (32%) and tuberculosis (TB) (16%) were the most frequent, followed by malaria, respiratory infections, anaemia and diarrhoeal disease (approximately 6% each). Death in a health facility was associated with young age, higher education, higher SES, a non-infectious disease cause and a shorter duration of illness. Conclusion: In this area, the majority of adult and adolescent deaths were attributed to potentially preventable infectious diseases. Deaths in health facilities were not representative of deaths in the community. Programmes to prevent HIV and TB infection and to decrease mortality have started. Their impact can be evaluated against this baseline information. © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
van Eijk, Anna Maria
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Netherlands, Amsterdam
Universiteit Van Amsterdam
Adazu, Kubaje
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Ofware, Peter Obonyo
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Vulule, John M.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Hamel, Mary J.
United States, Atlanta
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Slutsker, Laurence
United States, Atlanta
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Statistics
Citations: 53
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02136.x
ISSN:
13602276
e-ISSN:
13653156
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Kenya
Participants Gender
Male