SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH AMONG UN-REGISTERED DEATHS IN RURAL AREAS OF GUJARAT

Background: With the on-going epidemiological transition, information on the pattern of mortality is important for health planning. Therefore, it is vital to search for un-registered mortality, especially among rural areas. The circumstances and profiles of the deceased should also be evaluated. Objectives: I. To study the profiles and characteristics of the deceased in rural areas of Dabhoda PHC. II. To study the circumstances of death for the same. Materials and Methods: Settings: Population covered by Dabhoda Primary Health Centre, Gandhinagar district, Gujarat. A cross-sectional study was conducted by trained multi-purpose health workers & ASHA workers through Verbal Autopsy questionnaire tool. A total of 178 unregistered deaths (which took place during January to December 2013) were interviewed. The respondents were either member of the same home or a close relative. Observation: A total 59.6% of deaths occurred among males. More than half (56.2%) of the deaths occurred among those aged ?60 years & about 1.69% deaths occurred among infants. Majority (69.7%) of the deaths occurred among “other backward class” (OBC); while most (82.6%) of the total deceased were “Below Poverty Line”. Majority (n=109, 61.2%) of them died at home. “Natural death “(n=38) was the most common cause of death according to the respondents, followed by senility (n=21). Conclusion: Deaths of poor and under-privileged persons are more likely not to get registered. Deaths at home are also more likely to miss registration.