Analysis of Young Infant Deaths Using Verbal Autopsies and Accuracy of Verbal Autopsy Tool in Chennai, India

Abstract

Objective: To identify medical and non-medical factors associated with young infant deaths using verbal autopsies and to evaluate the validity of state verbal autopsy tool in identifying medical causes.

Design: Descriptive study to report factors associated with young infant deaths, and diagnostic accuracy study of the verbal autopsy tool.

Results: Prematurity related illnesses were the major contributors to mortality. Deliveries were predominantly in health care facilities (99%); lower maternal education (11.2%), lesser birth spacing (80%), and higher birth order (7.5%) were other factors noted. Verbal autopsy questionnaire had a diagnostic accuracy of ≥95% in identifying major causes of death (kappa value 0.8-1.0).

Conclusion: Current state verbal autopsy tool is valid in identifying causes of death.