Assessment of Hiv/Aids-Related Mortality among Primary and Secondary School Teachers in Addis Ababa (1998-2003) Using Verbal Autopsy
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Date
2004-12
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Abstract
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has become a number one killer disease
in Africa. The problem is believed to be so grave among government employees in
general and teachers in particular; however, there are little hard data that substantiate the
severity of the problem in these population groups . This cross-sectional study was aimed
at assessing HIV/AIDS related mortality among primary and secondary school teachers.
A total of 88 schools (66 primary and 22 secondary) were randomly selected for the
survey and 193 deaths were identified. Complete data were obtained for 169 cases using
verbal autopsy questionnaire. Verbal autopsies were reviewed by three physicians to
determine the underlining cause of death. EPI-info version 6 and SPSS version 10
statistical packages were used to enter and analyze data. Proportions and rates were
calculated to define the problem.
Results showed that HIV/AIDS related illnesses were the leading cause of death
accounted for 47.9% of all deaths. Tuberculosis was the major opportunistic infection in
persons with HIV/AIDS, contributed for 88.9% of HIV related deaths. Mean age of death
was 43.6 with SD 6.7. Most HIV related deaths (53.7%) were occurred in the age group
20-49 years (P= 0.015). Peak age of death was 35-39 years among males and 30-34 years
among females for the year 2003. This shows that females have been dying at an earlier
age compared to males.
The likelihood of dying of HIV related illnesses was higher among widowed and
divorced compared to the other groups (OR=4.74, 95% CI 1.14, 19.7).
Most HIV related deaths (74%) had taken place at home, whereas 76% non-HIV related
deaths were taken place in health institutions (P=0.009).
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In general HIV/AIDS was a cause for the majority of deaths and associated problems in
both primary and secondary school teachers. Most teachers had died of the epidemic in
their most productive age. Therefore it is advisable to make the teaching staff aware that
they are being negatively affected by the epidemic. Further study with a more
representative sample size is advisable since this study had limitation to get adequate
sample size.
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Assessment of Hiv/Aids-Related Mortality among Primary
Citation
Addis Abeba Universty