It was analyzed the quality of death certificate information for deaths registed in Viamão county (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) during 1987, considering unfilled blanks, and unknown and incorrect responses. Small omissions were found in data identifying the person who had died; larger omissions in data concerning social and obstetric history, medical assistance, and violent deaths. To improve the quality of death certificate information it was suggested that physicians be continually reminded of the importance of giving the correct information on death certificates to allow for their later adequate administrative and research use.
Death certificates; Forms and records control; Mortality