Abstract

CRUZ ROJO, Concepción  and  ALMISAS, Manuel. Epidemiological analysis of mortality by causes in Bahía de Algeciras, Spain (2001-2005). Gac Sanit [online]. 2009, vol.23, n.5, pp.388-395. ISSN 0213-9111.

Objective: To analyze general mortality and premature mortality by cause in the population of Bahía de Algeciras, an area particularly exposed to air pollution. Methods: Age-adjusted mortality rates and potential years of life lost (PYLL) rates, by gender and by cause, were compared in the area studied (2001-2005), Andalusia (2001-2005) and Spain as a whole (2003) by using the ratio for mortality rates (relative risk) and its 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and the differences between the rates (attributable risk). Results: Statistically significant, high general and premature mortality were found in males and females in Bahía de Algeciras, an area near the Strait of Gibraltar, which is exposed to high levels of air pollution. The relative risk of premature mortality in males with respect to Andalusia was 1.16 (95%CI: 1.15-1.17) and with respect to Spain as a whole was 1.30 (95%CI: 1.29-1.32); in females this rate was 1.17 (95%CI: 1.15-1.19) and 1.24 (95%CI: 1.22-1.26), respectively. A high risk of death from infectious and parasitic diseases, diseases of the respiratory system and malignant tumors was observed. By specific causes, excess mortality due to ischemic heart disease and ill-defined tumors was found in both genders. In males, excess general and premature mortality due to tracheobronchopulmonary cancer, bladder cancer and cirrhosis of the liver were observed. Conclusions: The present study found a greater risk of general and premature mortality in males and females in Bahía de Algeciras, an area with high industrial concentration and air pollution. We propose to continue with specific investigations in the area and to suggest precise actions aimed at promoting sustainable economic development.

Keywords : Mortality; Premature mortality; Causes of death; Air pollution.

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