Mortality Trends in the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Ghana (2011—2024)

Background Accurate data on mortality trends are essential for monitoring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goal of good health and well-being, especially in low resource settings. This study of a population in the Bono-East Region of Ghana adds to the limited body of longitudinal mortality data from sub-Saharan Africa where mortality data are limited. Methods The Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System covers a population of 160 communities which has increased by 13% from 2011 in a predominantly rural area where mortality rate was eight deaths per 1,000 person years in 2010. Mortality rates were computed using total deaths, total livebirths and person-years of observation from 2011 to 2024. Temporal trends were assessed using Poisson regression models with the logarithm of person-years and livebirths included as an offset term. Results A total of 13 954 deaths were recorded over the 14-year period, with 2 484 deaths among children under five years of age. Overall mortality rate was 5.98 deaths per 1 000 person-years (95% CI: 5.87—6.09). There was an annual reduction of 1.3% resulting in a reduction of 98 deaths per year. Among children under five years of age, mortality rate was 36.26 (95% CI: 34.81—37.76), per 1 000 live births with an annual decline of 5.7%. In the population aged five years and above, the overall mortality rate was 5.52 deaths per 1 000 person-years (95% CI: 5.42—5.63), declining by 0.2% annually. There was no difference between males (IRR = 0.998) and females (IRR = 0.997). Conclusion The findings present a comprehensive analysis of long-term mortality trends within the health and demographic surveillance system. Mortality rate decline over the 14 years period. Among all populations, mortality remains high among males, rural populations and older adults.