A review of the causes of death in adult medical wards of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

A review of 462 deaths occurring in a 1-year period from adult medical wards at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is undertaken. Males are found to outnumber females in the ratio of 2:1. The 25-44 and the 45-64 age groups are found to contain the highest incidence of death. The three main causes of death are found to be strokes, heart diseases and liver diseases. Predisposing factors are discussed. Delay in seeking medical help is thought to contribute in some measure to the overall mortality rate.