Deaths in gynaecological wards at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, 1957 - 1977.

During the period 1957 - 1977 there were 421 deaths recorded in the gynaecological wards of Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town. Nearly 50% of the patients were Coloureds, 25% were Whites, and 14% were Blacks; in 14% the ethnic group was not stated. Seventy-four per cent were more than 40 years and 25% were more than 70 years of age. The causes of death in order of frequency were: malignant disease of the cervix (30%), malignant disease of the ovary (17%), incomplete abortion (15%), non-gynaecological conditions (11%), malignant disease of the corpus uteri (8%), intra-abdominal malignancy (6%), pulmonary embolism (3%), sepsis not associated with abortion (3%), malignant disease of the vulva (2%), and other conditions (5%). The six commonest causes of death varied in the three ethnic groups.