Publications by authors named "M Urassa"

Background: Population data on mortality and causes of death among 5-19-year-olds are limited.

Objectives: To assess levels, trends, and risk factors of cause-specific mortality and place at death among 5-19-year-olds in Tanzania (1995-2022).

Methods: Using longitudinal data from the Magu Health and Demographic Surveillance System in northwest Tanzania, we identified leading causes of death among 5-19-year-olds from verbal autopsy interviews, using physician review and a Bayesian probabilistic model (InSilicoVA).

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Background: For the past two decades, health priorities in Tanzania have focussed on children under-five, leaving behind the older children and adolescents (5-19 years). Understanding mortality patterns beyond 5 years is important in bridging a healthy gap between childhood to adulthood. We aimed to estimate mortality levels, trends, and inequalities among 5-19-year-olds using population data from the Magu Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) in Tanzania and further compare the population level estimates with global estimates.

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Background: The absence of high-quality comprehensive civil registration and vital statistics systems across many settings in Africa has led to little empirical data on causes of death in the region. We aimed to use verbal autopsy data to provide comparative, population-based estimates of cause-specific mortality among adolescents and adults in eastern and southern Africa.

Methods: In this surveillance study, we harmonised verbal autopsy and residency data from nine health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) sites in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, each with variable coverage from Jan 1, 1995, to Dec 31, 2019.

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