The main objective of this study was to investigate the causes of child deaths in
South Africa. The study analysed trends in the cause of death for the children
aged 1-4 year s, examined sex· differentials and variation in the causes of child
death by province, and month of death.
When a country has a high child mortality, it usually signals high prevalence of
infectious, parasitic, communicable, and other diseases associated with poor
sanitary conditions and malnourishment . The research indicates that the leading
underlying causes of death for children aged 1-4 years in South Africa are
diarrhoea and gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin, and pneumonia causes
of child death vary by province and month of death. The leading immediate causes
of child mortality include pneumonia organism unspecified, diarrhoea and
gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin.
Whereas Microsoft excel was instrumental for cross tabulation, Super Cross (the
Microsoft Windows-based tabulation system providing rapid access to very large
database) was used for data analysis.. Super-Cross was also used to run all
variables for each specific objective. It summarizes data in table presentation
using Windows features.
A propos these enabling tabulation seystems, the study highlighted the need for
continued improvement in causes of child death data to facilitate monitoring of
MDG no 4. / Thesis (Soc.Sc.(Population Studies) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2011
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/15688 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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