Analyzing the Changes in Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Urban Population of India By Using Medical Certification of Cause of Death Data

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality globally. At least 25% of about 60 million deaths that occur worldwide each year are estimated to be due to infectious diseases. In India, the burden of infectious diseases is enormous; although it has decreased as a result of overall socioeconomic progress and use of vaccines and antimicrobials, it is still a major health-care burden. Studying a disease trend over a certain time period is important in a country's public health system as it guides agencies to prioritize funds and other measures for its control. OBJECTIVES: The present study tries to understand its transition in an urban population of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: “Medical Certification of Cause of Death” data for the period from 1989 to 2015 have been used. Deaths under the head “age not stated” have been distributed in all age groups in proportion to total deaths at those age groups for all the years, and the percentage of the cause of death to total deaths has been calculated. Three years' moving average of these percentages have been calculated. RESULTS: The overall age group analysis showed a downward trend in both males and females. However, age-segregated analysis showed that mortality is declining among children and youth population, specifically showing a steep decline among infants and under-five population. CONCLUSION: Infectious diseases are still a major public health problem in India.