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Sep 19, 2007Article Details
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Main Article Content
High AIDS-related mortality among young women in rural KwaZulu-Natal
Abstract
Objective. To establish mortality rates and cause of death in a
rural community in KwaZulu-Natal. This study was conducted
as part of a demographic and health survey to assess the
impact of HIV infection in this community.
Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between
February and July 2004. The survey made use of structured
questionnaires and verbal autopsies, which yielded detailed
information at household level, including the demographic
profile of residents, mortality rates and cause of mortality
between February 2003 and February 2004.
Results. The overall mortality rate in this community was
2.9 deaths per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval
(CI): 2.5 - 3.3 per 100 person-years). The highest mortality
rate among women occurred in the 30 - 34-year age group,
while among men it occurred in the 35 - 39 and > 60-year
age groups. Of the 185 verbal autopsies reported, 77 deaths
(42%) were attributable to AIDS. The survey revealed that
women aged 20 - 24 and men aged 35 - 39 years were bearing
a disproportionately large burden of AIDS-related mortality in
this community.
Conclusion. AIDS-related mortality was found to be
disproportionately high in young women in this small
rural community, and the majority of deaths resulted from
pulmonary tuberculosis. The need to strengthen prevention
and treatment efforts in this and similar settings is highlighted.
South African Medical Journal Vol. 97 (8) 2007: pp. 587-592
