Authors: Svetlana STEVIĆ, Nataša RANČIĆ, Mirko ILIĆ
Corresponding author: Nataša RANČIĆ
Type of paper: Original scientific article
Issue: Volume 12 | number 1 – 2018
Abstract:
Introduction: The quality of cause-of-death data is commonly assessed by determining the percentage of unspecified, ill-defined or “garbage” causes of death. The objective of the paper was to determine percentage of the “garbage codes” (GCs) coded as the underlying cause of cancer death. Material and methods: The data base of all deceased from the Nišava District was retrospective analyzed. The observed period was 2000-2016. Joinpoint regression analyses was performed. Results: The total number of deceased was 19598 (11247 men and 8351 women) and the total percentage of GCs was 6.2%. The significantly decreasing trend of GCs by 5.6% yearly (p<0.05) between 2000 and 2006 and by 2.9% per year (p<0.05) between the 2006 and 2016. In men, the statistically significantly decreasing trend of GCs by 6.1% per year (p<0.001) from 2000 up to 2013 was determine. In women, significant decreasing trend by 7.5% yearly (p<0.005) was registered from 2008 to 2016. There were statistically significant decreasing trends of GCs both in deceased under 65 (p<0.001) and above 65 years of age (p<0.05). The significant decreasing trend of GCs by 6.2% yearly (p<0.01) for deceased in HSIs, was observed from 2000 to 2009. From 2004 to 2016 there was the significant decreasing trend of GCs by 4.6% yearly (p<0.01) among deceased out of HSIs. Conclusion: The significantlly decreasing trend of GCs was recorded from 2000 to 2016 and the change in trend was in 2006. Continuous education of the staff and control of data quality of medical death certificates are needed.
