Description:
Background: Malaria cause-specific mortality data is useful for estimating burden of the disease.However the data, especially community based is lacking in most developing countries particularly in sub-Saharan Africa due to inactive vital registration systems. Thus, verbal autopsy (VA) has increasingly become a useful alternative method in community settings for estimating number and cause of deaths including malaria deaths, though of its some limitations.
Objective: The study aimed at determining malaria cause-specific mortality based on VA in Korogwe DSS from 2006 to 2012.
Method:The Korogwe DSS data collected from 2006 to 2012 in 14 villages, whereby standardized VA questionnaire were administered to parents/close relatives of the deceased. The data interpreted by physiciansto assign cause of death. Data analyzed using STATA version 13.0 where descriptive and analytical ofmalaria cause-specific mortality results presented. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant.
Results:VA assessment conductedto 865 deaths,out of those21.4% was due malaria.In multivariate regression analysis showed that, malaria cause-specific mortality was significant association withinfant OR=3.2 (95% CI 1.6–6.5), under five OR=5.5 (95% CI 2.5–10.9)with over whelming significant (p value <0.001),children (5-14 years) OR=2.4 (95% CI 1.1 – 5.1), individuals with higher education OR=0.3 (95% CI 0.1 – 0.9) and farmers were OR=0.5 (95% CI 0.3 – 0.9).
Conclusion: The overall mortality is higher in males and there significant association of dying from malaria in younger age groups, higher education level and those employed as farmers.