Completeness of adult death registration in Sudan in 2002

Mortality rates are very important for decision making in public health and in measuring the burden of disease. In Sudan under-registration of adult deaths is expected. In the background of a study to measure the burden of disease in Sudan, adult death registration completeness was assessed using Brass Growth Balance method. Partial birth and death rates were calculated from registered deaths in 2002 and total mid-year population projections. Linear regression of partial birth rates on partial death rates was used to calculate the completeness of death registration. The analysis showed that only 4.4% of deaths were registered and registration completeness was more for male deaths [6.5%] than for female deaths [2.8%]. A wide gap in mortality information in Sudan was found. This should be addressed by adequate sources of adult mortality information until a high quality vital registration system is constructed