GC 13 Verbal Autopsy

The dearth of reliable data on the levels and causes of mortality for those living in poorer regions of the world continues to limit efforts to build a solid evidence base for health policy, planning, monitoring, and evaluation. In settings where the majority of deaths still occur at home and where civil registration systems do not function, there is little chance that deaths occurring away from health facilities will be recorded at all, let alone certified as to the cause or causes of death. As a partial solution to this problem, verbal autopsy has become the primary source of information about causes of death in populations lacking vital registration and medical certification [2]. A verbal autopsy is an interview carried out with family members and/or caregivers of the deceased using a structured questionnaire to elicit signs and symptoms and other pertinent information that can later be used to assign a probable underlying cause of death. Verbal autopsy is an essential public health tool for obtaining a reasonable direct estimation of the cause structure of mortality at a community or population level, although it may not be an accurate method for attributing causes of death at the individual level.

This evaluation compares the results obtained from the VA instrument with the Medical Data Extraction Form (MDEF). In essence, it aims to determine the accuracy and reliability of the VA instrument in identifying the underlying causes of death.

Verbal Autopsy is a widely used method for collecting information about the circumstances and signs and symptoms leading to a person's death, especially in settings where medical certification of deaths is incomplete or unreliable. It typically involves interviewing family members or caregivers of the deceased to gather information about the events preceding the death.

The MDEF, the other hand, is a form used by healthcare professionals to document medical data related to a patient's illness and eventual death. It provides detailed clinical information, diagnostic data, and treatment history. By comparing the data obtained from the VA instrument with the information available in the MDEF, researchers can assess the concordance between the two sources and, consequently, the effectiveness of the VA instrument.

The need for this study arises from the importance of accurate and reliable cause-of-death information for public health research, policy development, and healthcare planning. Knowing the primary causes of death within a population is critical for targeting healthcare interventions, allocating resources, and evaluating the impact of health programs.

Criteria for GSD Documents

• Adult
• Neo and Child
• Residual
• Coding Spreadsheet

This study is designed to address several specific objectives:

1. Methodology Evaluation: The study will assess the suitability of the VA instrument in the context of the population being studied. It will examine whether the instrument's questions are culturally sensitive and capable of capturing relevant information.

2. Comparative Analysis: Researchers will collect VA data from a sample of deceased individuals and simultaneously review the corresponding MDEFs. By comparing the causes of death ascertained by both methods, the study will evaluate the level of agreement or discordance.

3. Validation and Reliability: The study will seek to determine the extent to which the VA instrument can accurately identify the underlying causes of death. It will investigate whether the VA instrument is a reliable tool for cause of death attribution, particularly in cases where medical certification is limited.

4. Clinical Relevance: Researchers will assess the clinical relevance of the VA instrument's outcomes. This involves examining whether the causes of death identified by the VA instrument align with the medical context of the deceased individuals.

5. Policy Implications: Finally, the study aims to provide insights into the policy and public health implications of relying on the VA instrument for mortality surveillance. It will consider the feasibility and potential benefits of using VA instruments for cause of death determination in areas with limited access to medical certification.

In conclusion, the effectiveness of the VA instrument to capture the cause of death is a pivotal element of public health research. This study seeks to shed light on the validity and utility of the VA instrument in providing accurate cause-of-death information, which is indispensable for guiding healthcare strategies, resource allocation, and informed decision-making. Ultimately, the research endeavors to improve the quality of mortality data collection and contribute to better public health outcomes.