Multiple causes of deaths related to HIV/AIDS in the capitals of the Southeast and South Region, Brazil, 2011

Objective: To propose two indicators to assess gain in information through the multiple causes of death approach, using data from the capital of the South and Southeast regions, by sex, age groups and capital of residence. Methods: Data were gathered from the National Mortality Information System. Death certificates of individuals aged 13 or more were selected mentioning HIV/AIDS in any field of the death certificate, whose residence capital was one of the capitals of the South or Southeast. Indicators proposed were: (i) the difference between the number of times a cause was mentioned as a multiple cause (CM) and the number of times it was mentioned as the underlying cause (CB), i.e., (CM-CB), indicating how many additional causes would be obtained if the cause was counted in a model of multiple causes; (ii) the ratio (CB/CM): the closer to 1, the more often the disease is classified as an underlying cause. Indicators were calculated for deaths by sex, age and capital according to CM and CB. Results: When analyzed the deaths that have HIV/AIDS as an CB, 2,456 was obtained. However, when considering deaths with mention of HIV/AIDS in any field of the death certificate, the analysis of CM shows a total of 2,508 deaths. The major information gain with the analysis of CM occurred for men, patients aged 50 years or older and residents of Rio de Janeiro. Conclusion: The analysis by CM considers other conditions mentioned in the death certificate. Therefore, it may help to understand the population’s disease process, contributing to HIV/AIDS surveillance.