Comparative analysis between mortality of insures workers in industrial establishments and of working age population in Rangoon

ABSTRACT

Registered mortality data for 5 years ,from the Social Security Scheme Dispensaries and the Vital Statistc Section of the Central Statistical organization were studied. Proportionate mortality ratios, truncated, age-specific and age-.adjusted mortality rates and standardized mortality ratios, by sex and cause between 20-59 years of age were estimated.In both the insured and working age populations in Rangoon, infective and parasitic diseases (among which pulmonary tuberculosis formed the main portion), still remained the principal case of death, followed closely, by cardio-vascular and malignant disease. Age-specific mortality rates were higher in males than females within each population, resembling those of industrial countries. When same sex comparison between the populations was made, risk of dying was equal at (30-34) years of age, below which insured males and females, and above which working age men and women had higher risk than their counterparts. However, male industrial workers not only had the highest risk of death in accidents-violence under 35 years within its group but also had a higher chance of dying than other sub-populations from this cause in all age groups to the maximum of 13 times On the whole, workers under Social security scheme were observed to have 'healthy worker effect' as found by others. The possible causes of differences in mortality within and between in insured and general populations were underscored. The importance of proper registration of each worker including entry of age, type of occupation and duration of employment was stressed. The reliability of the data was also discussed.