[Identification of knowledge about the quality of mortality information in Bogotá].

OBJECTIVE : Identify the workers knowledge involved in the production and usage, about the quality of mortality information in Bogotá during 2006.

METHODS : We conducted a descriptive study using a self-administered and semi-structured questionnaire in 130 functionaries who participated in the mortality data production and use. The instruments inquired into the reliability, characteristics, qualification, reasons for that qualification and improvement proposals. We calculated frequencies and percentage distributions.

RESULTS : 76.2 % of respondents identified coverage and content as the aspects that best indicated reliability of mortality information. The main quality characteristics of the information recognized were veracity, 80.8 %; completeness, 76.2 %; accuracy, 75.4 %; opportunity, 74.6 %; and validity, 73.8 %. 55.4 % of participants rated the quality as fair and 6.2 % as poor. Some of the proposals for the quality improvement were awareness, training and evaluation processes.

CONCLUSIONS : The findings suggest that there is still a lack of knowledge about the quality of mortality information in people involved in its production and use. It is necessary to correct this lack of knowledge by implementing the proposals to improve the quality of mortality data made by respondents. It is recommended that the various proposals that were exposed are monitored and evaluated to determine the impact they produce.