Suicide: Attempts Methods and Causes in Cases Brought for Autopsy in Bpkihs, Dharan

Abstract

Objective: To identify the intensity of the frequency of suicide in relation with the Medicolegal aspect of the incidence such as method, duration of survival, causes of committing suicide and previous attempts to commit suicide. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of 100 fatal suspected suicidal cases brought for postmortem examination at BPKIHS, Dharan from January 2007 to April 2008. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain data by direct interview with the visitor of the victim and information available on police record. Results: Death on spot was (47%) while 41% victims died within 24 hours of incidence, whereas 11% victims survived for 7 days. Suicidal victims (56%) were either discovered dead not hospitalized. Low socioeconomic conditions were most frequent (45%) cause for committing suicide, followed by psychosocial causes (43%), and chronic diseases (12%). Poisoning (53%) and hanging (45%) were the two exclusive methods employed for committing suicide. Most of the victims (83%) made sure shot and successful attempt to commit suicide in their very first attempt while history of previous suicidal attempts was available in 17% of victims. Conclusion: This study exemplified that most of the victims incorporated such suicidal attempts and method that they made sure that their attempt is successful suicide and the cause to commit is mostly their low socioeconomic condition and psychosocial reasons.