Tuberculosis deaths in South Africa, 1980

Tuberculosis is the most common notifiable disease in the RSA and accounts for considerable morbidity, especially in black and coloured populations. The estimated number of deaths from tuberculosis vary according to the source of information used. The impact of registered tuberculosis deaths at different age groups and in all four population groups is compared. Tuberculosis mortality exerts a major impact in blacks and coloureds between 15 and 64 years of age accounting for about 7% of all deaths. Deaths from tuberculosis represent a failure of case-finding and/or case-holding. It is suggested that discrepancies between registered and notified deaths for tuberculosis be removed and that greater attention be paid to improving the management of tuberculosis in South Africa.