Análisis comparativo de mortalidad en población mapuche y no mapuche. Quinquenio 1994- 1998

Abstract

The present reseach work seeks to determine the causes of mortality and mortality rates upon the Mapuche population in the IX Region of Chile (Araucania). Differentials by sex, age, educational level and between urban and rural populations are to be analised, as well as comparing the different districts in each case. The Araucania Region has a 2G7e of indigenous population acccording to the 1992 census’, representing the highest of the country. This is reflected in that around 1 of every 3 hospital discharges and deaths correspond to mapuche population. In our research we didn't find significant differences in the mortality rates nor in the causes of death between the Mapuche population and the rest of the population. When the coast and mountain microareas were analised we didn’t find significant associations between for the mortality rates, even though low economic conditions characterise them. The results of the study showed that tumors, traumatism and accidents, and infectious diseases are the main causes of death for the Mapuche population. In the non-Mapuche population the first causes of death found are: cronic diseases —such as hypertension and diabetes—, tumors and respiratory affections.