M.Sc. (Med.) (Epidemiology and Biostatistics), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Introduction: The reduction of maternal death is a high priority for the international community, especially in view of the increased attention to Millennium Development Goal 5 Maternal mortality in developing countries has been estimated at 400 per 100,000 live births whereas levels in most developed countries are below 25 per 100,000 live births. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 500,000 women worldwide die every year from complications of pregnancy, abortions and delivery. Objectives: The study main objectives were to establish the maternal mortality ratio and trend from 1993 to 2006 in the rural Agincourt sub-district; to describe the main causes of death of women of reproductive age from 1993 to 2006; and to identify socio-demographic factors associated with maternal death among rural pregnant women 15-49 years. Methods: A retrospective cohort design was employed using secondary data collected as part of the Agincourt health and socio-demographic surveillance system. The total cohort size of 25,061 women who were pregnant was identified. Logistic regression was used in ascertaining which factors were associated with maternal death. Results: Seventy maternal deaths were identified. There was an increasing risk of maternal death with increasing maternal age and parity. The maternal mortality ratio for the 14-year period was 287/100,000 live births and the trend was statistically significant. HIV/AIDS, respiratory tuberculosis and other ill-defined conditions were the major causes of death across the age groups with over 70% of all deaths of women of reproductive age related to HIV/TB. Conclusion: Maternal mortality ratio increased per year from 1993 to 2006. Communicable diseases (largely HIV/AIDS) have emerged as the most common causes of death of women of reproductive age in the Agincourt sub-district, with major risk factors being increasing maternal age, complication during delivery, antenatal care visits and mother’s socio-economic

Thesis (M.Sc.(Med.) (Field Population Based Epidemiology))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, 2014. / Background: The world population is aging at an increasing rate. One product of this increase is the shift in mortality patterns and causes as a result of change in the age structure of the general population. An understanding of patterns and predictors of mortality in older populations is essential for policy and planning.However, very little is known due to limited research targeting this older population. Objectives: To identify patterns and predictors of mortality in older people (50 years and above) in the Kassena-Nankana district of Northern Ghana from 2006-2010, and to investigate the association between self-rated health (SRH) and subsequent mortality of older adults. Methods: Longitudinal follow-up of 4584 older people aged 50 and above who participated in a SAGE cross-sectional survey conducted in the Kassena-Nankana District of Ghana in 2007. Mortality rates were estimated using person time (in years) as the denominator, and Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to compare survival between different exposure groups. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify predictors of mortality. Results: Of the 4584 people followed up until the end of 2010, 601 (13.1%) died. Overall mortality rates were 37.5 (95% CI 34.5, 40.6) deaths per 1000 Persons Years (PY). Older males had consistently higher mortality rates than women and the pattern indicate that, the highest mortality rate of 43.3 (95% CI 37.3, 49.9) was observed in 2008. Being married, being female, and living in household with higher socio-economic status were associated with significant reduction of mortality. There was increased risk of mortality among participants who rated their health as bad (HR=2.36 (95%CI 1.57 , 3.54 ) as compared to those who rated their health as very good (P<0.05). Conclusions: Despite overall low level of older adult mortality, there were significant difference in mortality magnitudes for different subgroups such as sex, education level, wealth and marital status. The findings also support previous studies that show the ability of SRH to significantly predict subsequent older mortality.

Thesis (M. Med. (Community Health))--University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2010. / Introduction: Mortality profiles form very important components of the public health information system and are used widely to inform important planning decisions at managerial level. Aim: To determine and describe the mortality profile of patients admitted to Dr George Mukhari Hospital in 2008. Methods and quality: Cause of death information was collected from the death notification register situated in the hospital mortuary. A representative sample of 6 months out of the 12 months of the year was chosen in such a way as to represent all the seasons of the year to minimize bias from seasonal variation that could influence cause of death patterns. A total of 3790 deaths were captured in the death register for 2008 and 1968 deaths (52%) of the deaths were analyzed. 53% of the deaths occurred in males while 47% were in females. Most of the records captured were complete with very minimal missing data variables for analysis. Findings: Non-communicable conditions contributed to the highest burden of mortality at 43%, followed by communicable diseases at 38%. HIV and AIDS seemed to be prominently contributing to mortality in Dr George Mukhari Hospital. In keeping with global statistics, cancer was also a leading cause of death in the older age groups. The neonatal period was the highest risk period for death in children under 5 years of age. Post neonatal children die more from pneumonia, diarrhoeal conditions and malnutrition. Discussions and conclusions: Routine statistics collected by the hospital should be modified to include some important variables such as additional information on the broad causes of death or even utilization of the National Injury Surveillance System to assist with decision making. There should be strategies to improve more accurate capturing of HIV and AIDS deaths and Injury related deaths. Based on the similarity of the mortality profile to the rest of the province and the country, existing national and provincial programme strategies can be used for better planning for the illustrated health service needs.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 133 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Ruth D. Peterson, Dept. of Sociology. Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-133).

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1943.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Michigan, 1915. / Cover title. Reprinted from American statistical association's Quarterly publications, v. XIV, no. VI, p. 758-789, December, 1915.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1943.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1964. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Bibliography: l. 53-55.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-167).

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