The causes of death in an elderly African population.

Information on the causes of death in elderly populations is sparse or not available for most tropical African countries. Analysis of the causes of death of patients aged 65 years and above on the medical and surgical wards of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria was therefore carried out over a 10-year period (1977-1986). A total of 223 cases were reviewed. Neoplastic, cardiac and infective diseases accounted for the majority of deaths. Improvement in health education, early diagnosis and treatment as well as preservation of cultural dietary habits are suggested ways of reducing a rise in degenerative diseases and the number of deaths.