Seasonality of deaths in Matlab, Bangladesh

Deaths registered between 1972 and 1974 in a population of 260 000 in a rural area of Bangladesh were analysed for seasonal patterns. Age and cause of death groups were considered. The findings include: (1) The number of neonatal deaths has a peak in October but after adjustment for the seasonal pattern of births, the actual risk of neonatal morality is found to peak 2 months earlier. (2) Postneonatal deaths peak in April with above average proportions of deaths in the peak month attributed to dysentery. (3) Deaths of persons above age 45 peak in the cool season. (4) Dysentery and chronic diarrhoea deaths are highest in December. This coincides with the maximum incidence of shigella dysentery. (5) Accidental deaths are maximum in July due to increased drownings during the monsoon. The age and cause of death groups which contribute the largest proportions of total deaths are also the groups which show seasonal patterns.