How much does a verbal autopsy based mortality surveillance system cost in rural India?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This paper aims to determine the cost of establishing and sustaining a verbal-autopsy based mortality surveillance system in rural India.

Materials and methods

Deaths occurring in 45 villages (population 185,629) were documented over a 4-year period from 2003-2007 by 45 non-physician healthcare workers (NPHWs) trained in data collection using a verbal autopsy tool. Causes of death were assigned by 2 physicians for the first year and by one physician for the subsequent years. Costs were calculated for training of interviewers and physicians, data collection, verbal autopsy analysis, project management and infrastructure. Costs were divided by the number of deaths and the population covered in the year.

Results

Verbal-autopsies were completed for 96.7% (5786)

SUBMITTER: Joshi R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4425407 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature