Verbal autopsy to determine the timing and causes of infant deaths in the northern state of India

Authors

  • Anupam Parashar Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Deepesh Barall Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Anmol Gupta Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Tripti Chauhan Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Devender Kumar Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Arvind Kumar Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Sanjay Kumar Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Gopal Ashish Sharma Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India
  • Sunita Kumari Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20170715

Keywords:

Infant mortality, Neonatal mortality, Verbal autopsy

Abstract

Background: Data on timing and probable causes of infant deaths are very important for the design of intervention to reduce mortality because of very limited study in the state. This study was undertaken to determine the timing and causes of infant deaths in our state using verbal autopsy. The suggestions and recommendations can be used to strengthen and improve the existing facilities and services for the better outcome of life in the early childhood.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 180 selected clusters by WHO cluster sampling method, using validated verbal autopsy tool for timing and causes of infant deaths.

Results: Verbal autopsy was done for 45 infant deaths. 37.8% infant deaths were early neonatal, 15.5% in late neonatal and 46.7% in post neonatal period with mean age of 5.79±6.35 days in neonatal period while it was 5.07±3.38 months in post neonatal period. Of all the infants 57.78% were females. The major causes of death were severe infection (15.5%) in neonates, pneumonia (13.3%) in post neonates followed by LBW with prematurity (11.1%) and diarrhea (11.1%). No specific cause could be determined in 13.3% cases.

Conclusions: The major causes of infant deaths are preventable. It emphasizes for the robust reporting mechanism to determine the exact causes of all infant mortality, strengthening of comprehensive health care delivery and ensuring the accessibility to the health care services to have a healthy infanthood.

Author Biographies

Anupam Parashar, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla,Himachal Pradesh University

Deepesh Barall, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

In Service candidate with 13 years experience, presently doing post graduation and posted as Junior Resident in the Department of Community Medicine at IGMC Shimla

Anmol Gupta, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla,Himachal Pradesh University

Tripti Chauhan, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla,Himachal Pradesh University

Devender Kumar, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla,Himachal Pradesh University

Arvind Kumar, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

OSD, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Himachal Pradesh

Sanjay Kumar, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla,Himachal Pradesh University

Gopal Ashish Sharma, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla,Himachal Pradesh University

Sunita Kumari, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University, Himachal Pradesh, India

Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla,Himachal Pradesh University

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Published

2017-02-22

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Original Research Articles