Abstract
The latest data from the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System – the most detailed source on the ‘who, what, when, where and how’ of fatal injuries in South Africa – shows that homicide remains the most common cause of injury-related deaths. Homicide rates varied significantly between the four major urban centres covered, and firearms were a key contributor to the high homicide rates. Alcohol was confirmed as an important risk factor for murder, with the highest percentage of alcohol positive cases being recorded in Cape Town.
Highlights
Background to the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS) TheNIMSS has provided information about the extent and scope of deaths due to non-natural causes in South Africa since 1999
The cause of death is categorised according to the International Classification of Disease version 9 (ICD 9) to enable international comparisons
In 2003, 36 mortuaries in seven of South Africa’s nine provinces supplied data to the NIMSS (Table 1). This represents between 36–49% of all injury-related deaths that occur in South Africa.[7]
Summary
The latest data from the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System – the most detailed source on the ‘who, what, when, where and how’ of fatal injuries in South Africa – shows that homicide remains the most common cause of injury-related deaths. Background to the NIMSS The NIMSS has provided information about the extent and scope of deaths due to non-natural causes in South Africa since 1999 It is the most detailed source of information on the who, what, when, where and how of fatal injuries in South Africa and has secured full coverage of five of the country’s six metropolitan centres as well as several other major towns and cities. In 2003, 36 mortuaries in seven of South Africa’s nine provinces supplied data to the NIMSS (Table 1) This represents between 36–49% of all injury-related deaths that occur in South Africa.[7]. Prioritise injury and violence prevention action directed at high-risk groups and socioenvironmental risk factors;
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