Sociodemographic Profile of Burns Case for Autopsy: One Year Study

Abstract

Background: Burns constitute a major cause of deaths, both suicidal & accidental in the world & our country.As per the National crime record bureau of India, burns one among the common method of suicide and the rateof fatal suicidal burns was 2.6% in 2021. In Tamil Nadu, the rate of suicide is 11.5%, and also, being the secondhighest among the other states.(1) This study is undertaken with the aim to study sociodemographic profile ofburns case brought to autopsy at tertiary medical college, along with the pattern & outcome.Methods: A cross sectional study was done in a total of 53 cases of burns brought for medicolegal autopsy duringthe study period. Data including age, gender, socioeconomic status, manner of burns , % of burns, duration ofsurvival were all collected based on pre structured proforma & further was analysed using standard statisticalmethod.Results and Conclusion: Burns incidence is seen in mostly age group 31-40, with majority of them beingfemales(62.27%).suicidal burns are more common (73.59%), with >75%(66.03% ) burns being more. About 35.8%survived for 1-7 days prior to succumbing death.Enhancing a better mental& physical environment should be the priority. Early & effective treatment can be usefulin reducing the mortality due to burns.