Compiling mortality statistics from civil registration systems in Viet Nam: the long road ahead

Abstract

Accurate mortality statistics, needed for population health assessment, health policy and research, are best derived from data in vital registration systems. However, mortality statistics from vital registration systems are not available for several countries including Viet Nam. We used a mixed methods case study approach to assess vital registration operations in 2006 in three provinces in Viet Nam (Hòa Bình, Thùa Thiên-Hué and Bình Duong), and provide recommendations to strengthen vital registration systems in the country. For each province we developed life tables from population and mortality data compiled by sex and age group. Demographic methods were used to estimate completeness of death registration as an indicator of vital registration performance. Qualitative methods (document review, key informant interviews and focus group discussions) were used to assess administrative, technical and societal aspects of vital registration systems. Completeness of death registration was low in all three provinces. Problems were identified with the legal framework for registration of early neonatal deaths and deaths of temporary residents or migrants. The system does not conform to international standards for reporting cause of death or for recording detailed statistics by age, sex and cause of death. Capacity-building along with an intersectoral coordination committee involving the Ministries of Justice and Health and the General Statistics Office would improve the vital registration system, especially with regard to procedures for death registration. There appears to be strong political support for sentinel surveillance systems to generate reliable mortality statistics in Viet Nam.Une traduction en français de ce résumé figure à la fin de l'article. Al final del artículo se facilita una traducción al español. ‫املقالة.‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫الكامل‬ ‫النص‬ ‫نهاية‬ ‫يف‬ ‫الخالصة‬ ‫لهذه‬ ‫العربية‬ ‫الرتجمة‬

Mortality measures from sample-based surveillance: evidence of the epidemiological transition in Viet Nam

“…3 Nevertheless, the high proportions of deaths classified to non-specific causes among the elderly and in women signals the need for improvement. For deaths in 2009, verbal autopsy recall periods ranged from 8 to 18 months, which could have undermined the accuracy of questionnaire responses, particularly with respect to symptoms and clinical events among the elderly.…”

“…3 The review found highly incomplete death registration and a failure to conform to international standards for reporting the cause of death. We recommended implementing a capacity-building initiative to improve the vital registration system, especially the death registration process.…”

Evaluation of record linkage of mortality data between a health and demographic surveillance system and national civil registration system in South Africa

“…An adequate and complete civil registration (CR) system is the ideal source from which to draw such information [2,5].…”

Strengthening of local vital events registration: lessons learnt from a voluntary sector initiative in a district in southern India

“…It could also help increase accountability within the civil registration system. 14,15 In summary, coordinated efforts at the local level by voluntary organizations, government and the general public can improve birth and death registration in developing countries. Lessons learnt at the local level can then be used to identify scalable solutions at a regional or national level (Box 1).…”