Reporting systems on cause of deaths in India: An assessment

Abstract

Introduction: Realization of such causes on the mortality data is very critical and can aid at informed decision making and at devising evidence based definite and timely intervention strategies. The paper attempts to review the existing systems that report causes of death in India. To assess the quality of existing reporting systems on causes of death in India in terms of methodology followed, coverage, completeness, reliability, and pattern of cause of deaths. Materials and Methods: The study design followed was a cross-sectional exploratory one. Secondary data available under Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) 2007, Report on Cause of Death (RCD) 2001-2003, Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2004 (updated 2008), and Sample Registration System (SRS) 2008 were reviewed to assess the quality of existing reporting systems on causes of death in India in terms of methodology followed, coverage, completeness, reliability, and pattern of cause of deaths. A correlation analysis was also done to understand the similarity between the reports. The data was analysed using Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: Wide discrepancies observed between the existing reporting systems on cause of death in India. RCD was found to be more appropriate in terms of coverage, completeness, quality check, reliability, and representative character. RCD 2001-03 also showed high correlation with MCCD 2007 and GBD 2007. Conclusion: Having multiple reporting systems with the same objective could pose unnecessary duplication of efforts and wastage of various resources. Having observed discrepancies in the reporting systems, it is emphasized that the existing systems are reorganized/collated to provide quality, accurate, and uniform data on cause of death.