Adequacy of mortality data and correction of reported deaths from the Proactive Search of Deaths

Abstract The aim of this paper is to propose indicators of adequacy and to estimate correction factors for deaths reported to SIM. In 2014, we carried out a Proactive Search to capture deaths that occurred in 2012 in a sample of municipalities in the regions North and Northeast, and the states of Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso and Goiás. To characterize the coverage of deaths information, we proposed indicators of adequacy by municipality. Correction factors were estimated for individuals one year of age or older and younger than 1 year old. Among the deaths of people aged one year or more, the coverage was above 90% in 12 states. As for infant deaths, the coverage was less than 80% in 7 states. The results of the regression models showed association between the correction factors estimated and the proposed indicators of adequacy. We found very poor death information in 227 municipalities, for which the reported number of infant deaths even after correction, could not reach the minimum expected. Although the progress made in information of vital data in Brazil is recognized, the results show that our greatest challenge is to reach rural and remote municipalities, which do not yet have adequate vital information.