Surveillance for abnormal death in a district in Shenzhen, Guangdong, 2012−2020

Objective To understand the distribution characteristics of abnormal death in residents in a district in Shenzhen City of Guangdong Province from 2012 to 2020, and provide reference for the formulation of relevant prevention and control measures.

Methods The death data were obtained from the Death Cause Surveillance Information System of Shenzhen, and the permanent population data were collected from local statistical yearbook. The death data were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The code V00–Y34 was recognized as abnormal death, and the abnormal mortality rate was calculated. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the annual trend of age-adjusted standardized abnormal mortality rate, and χ² test was used to compare the gender and age specific differences in abnormal mortality rate. The composition and rank of causes of abnormal death were analyzed, and potential years of life lost (PYLL) and average potential years of life lost (APYLL) were used to evaluate years of life lost due to abnormal death.

Results From 2012 to 2020, a total of 2,806 abnormal deaths in residents were reported in this district, and the standardized abnormal mortality rate was 9.81/100 000, showing a gradual upward trend, the annual percent change and the average annual percent change were all 5.60% (95% confidence interval: –5.90%–18.60%). The abnormal mortality rate was 12.84/100,000 in men, which was higher than that in women (6.10/100 000), the difference was significant (χ²＝321.392, P<0.001). The abnormal mortality rate in age group ≥65 years was highest (10.13/100 000), followed by age group 15–64 years (9.95/100 000), and the lowest mortality rate was in children aged 0–14 years (8.95/100 000). There were no significant differences in abnormal mortality rate among age groups (χ²＝2.616, P=0.270). Among the five main causes of death, the PYLL and APYLL of abnormal death were highest, followed by malignant tumor. Other causes of accidental injury ranked first in the cause of abnormal death. The PYLL of intentional self-injury was highest, followed by other causes of accidental injury. The top three abnormal death causes with high APYLL were injury, injury with uncertain intention and intentional self-injury.

Conclusion It is necessary to establish a safe working environment, strengthen the protection for men, the elderly and workers, improve the awareness of self-protection and establish healthy elderly care system and intervention mechanism for abnormal death.