Evaluation of causes of death in Antalya province for the years 2021–2022

The study examined the causes of deaths and deaths that occurred in Antalya province in 2021 and 2022. This research is descriptive and uses death records from Death Notification System (DNS) of Antalya Provincial Health Directorate as its data source. By applying the rules used internationally, the underlying causes of death of death records were found and classified according to ICD-10 code. The independent variables of the study were age, gender, nationality, marital status, educational status, occupation, MERNIS province/district, date of death, place of death, manner of death, causes of death, result of forensic examination, stillbirth, infant birth time minutes, and maternal death. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS 23.0 program. When presenting descriptive findings, numbers and percentages were used for categorical variables and mean, standard deviation and median values were used for continuous variables. Group comparisons were made by Chi-square test, Kruskal Wallis test and Mann Whitney-u test. Mortality trend was analyzed by Joinpoint Regression Analysis. For statistical significance, p<0.05 was considered significant. A total of 32,291 deaths occurred in Antalya province, 16,389 in 2021 and 15,902 in 2022. The number of deaths decreased by 3% in 2022 compared to the previous year. When deaths were compared over the years, it was found that the frequency of dying under the age of 18 and over the age of 75, being single or divorced, dying as a result of a judicial event increased, while the frequency of dying due to an infectious disease and residing in Antalya decreased. In 2022, the age-specific mortality rate increased for those under the age of 18 and those aged 65 and over, while the sex-specific mortality rate decreased for both sexes. Causes of death in 2021 are listed as circulatory system diseases, COVID-19, benign and malignant tumors, respiratory system diseases; in 2022, circulatory system diseases, respiratory system diseases, benign and malignant tumors. In 2022, while the mortality rate due to circulatory and respiratory system diseases increased, the mortality rate due to benign and malignant tumors remained the same as the previous year, while the mortality rate due to COVID-19 decreased. In 2021, most deaths occurred in August and during summer; in 2022, most deaths occurred in January and during winter. Life expectancy at birth increased by 0.5 years in 2022 compared to the previous year. There is missing data on occupation and some of the death certificate. The frequency of ICD code use decreased in 2022. Although maternal mortality rate decreased in 2022 compared to the previous year, it was high in both years. Both infant mortality rate and under-5 mortality rate increased in 2022. Physicians who will fill out the death certificate should be trained on how to fill out the form. Feedback should be given by supervising physicians in case of any missing data in the form. The determination of the underlying causes of death can be automated by making use of technological opportunities. Provincial Health Directorates should be able to access death and population information of those residing both in their provinces and elsewhere.