Retrospective study on adult (15-49yrs) mortality of Nepal (1996-2006)

Umesh Raj Aryal, Pokhara University, Nepal
Shyam P Lohani, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nobel College, Pokhara University
Surath Upadhyaya, Nobel College

Adult mortality has received much less attention and has ranked low on the international and national agenda. This paper tried to reveal and compare adult mortality rate (15-49 years) of Nepal using Nepal Family Health Survey (NFHS) 1996, National Census 2001 and Demographic and Health Survey 2006. Secondary data were analyzed statistically to compute age specific mortality rate, age adjusted mortality rate, confidence interval, comparative mortality index and the significance test. There is statistical evidence of declining age specific mortality rate between 1996 and 2006 survey for both men and women respectively (p< 0.05). There is evidence of statistical significant difference in adult mortality rates for men and women in ten years period (P<0.05). The causes for declining mortality in Nepal are due to increase in access and improved health services, disease eradication program, family planning services, improved nutritional status, education attainment and better socioeconomic conditions.