ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To create an awareness amongst the medical profession in Pakistan about the importance of mortality statistics in epidemiological research and its correlation with the cause of death statement. METHODS: The original death registration forms and the statistical information, compiled into a database by the District Municipal Corporation, South Karachi, for the years 1995 to 1998 were evaluated. RESULTS: The total number of deaths reported from the District Municipal Corporation, South Karachi, for the years 1995 to 1998 were 7480. Of these 28% were females and 72% were males. The adult deaths were 99% whereas childhood deaths were 1%. The leading cause of death was cardiovascular disease (33%). However 49% of the deaths were classified as caused by non-specific or ill-defined conditions. CONCLUSION: The maintenance of records and compilation of death registry data by the District Municipal Corporation, South Karachi is satisfactory. The coverage of deaths in the years 1995 to 1998 was reasonable. The degree of precision of the age statement was moderately good as the 'National Identity Card' copy accompanied each adult death notification. As the cause of death statement was non-specific in 49% of the deaths, this data will have limited use in research or health planning. It is therefore essential to emphasize the importance of the death certification process to the medical profession.