Is Data from Community Mortality Data Mechanisms and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems Compatible and Co-Usable? Evidence from a pilot Study in Nigeria

Abstract Background: Community mortality data mechanisms (CMDMs) -including verbal autopsy programmes and mortality surveillance systems-are taken as pragmatic solutions to the mortality data incapacity of CRVS systems in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). This paper addresses issues related to the compatibility and co-usability of CMDM and CRVS systems data instruments and data. It demonstrates a methodology for the development of a CRVS system compatible community mortality checklist (CMC) instrument applicable to a routine community mortality surveillance system (RCMS). It compares mortality data from the Nigerian CRVS system and a pilot implementation of RCMS using the CMC. Methods: Development of the CMC was demonstrated with the Nigerian death registration data instrument. RCMS and CRVS generated data on 180 deaths were compared in nine mortality data fields or elements of registered mortality events (ERMEs): age and sex of deceased, timeliness of registration (TOR), place -facility- of death (POD), locality of death, place of registration, death certification, and causes of death (COD). Results: Differences between RCMS and CRVS mortality data were insignificant in some ERMEs like age, sex and POD of deceased but significant in others like TOR, COD and locality of death. CRVS data were slightly less male biased and more concentrated at older age groups while RCMS data were more evenly spread across age groups. Conclusion: Data from the two sources are largely compatible. CMC based RCMS can significantly expand coverage of CRVS mortality data in LMICs and help adjust its sex and age bias.