Citation

Outwater AH, Campbell JC, Mgaya E, Abraham AG, Kinabo L, Kazaura M, Kub J. Int. J. Inj. Control Safe. Promot. 2008; 15(4): 243-252.

Affiliation

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17457300802292439

PMID

19051087

Abstract

Violence disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries. Deeper understanding is needed in areas where little research has occurred. The objectives of the study were to: (a) ascertain rate of homicide death; (b) describe the victims and circumstances surrounding their deaths in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 2005. This study was developed by adapting the WHO/CDC Injury Surveillance Guidelines (Holder et al., 2001). Data on 12 variables were collected on all homicide deaths. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis tests were done when appropriate. Age standardised, age-specific and cause-specific mortality rates are presented. The overall homicide rate was 12.57 (males and females respectively: 22.26 and 2.64). Homicide deaths were 93.4% male, mostly unemployed, with a mean age of 28.2 years. Most deaths occurred in urban areas. Mob violence was the cause of 57% of deaths. The risk of homicide death for males was greater than the world average, but for females it was less. Most homicides were committed by community members policing against thieves.

Language: en