Tanzania - Magu Health and Demographic Surveillance System

The Magu DSS Site monitors a population of approximately 28,000 in Mwanza Tanzania. The objectives of the DSS are to measure child and adult mortality and fertility in relation to HIV status, create a foundation for epidemiological surveys by tracking migration and mortality, assess leading causes of deaths via VA and available death certificates, examine the affect of adult mortality on family structure, and provide vital statistics to Ward and District authorities to facilitate planning.

The DSS is one of the components of the Kisea Open Cohort Study, focused on HIV/AIDS.

A baseline census was conducted in 1994. Since then, members of the cohort are visited every four months for updated information on family demographics. Verbal autopsies are taken when household members 60 and younger die.