Trend of Unnatural Deaths in Male Population in Varanasi Region-A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Death may be natural (resulting from disease) or unnatural deliberate action of other (homicide), intentionally self inflected (suicide), result of an environmental influence (accident). Deaths in males due to unnatural causes, especially in the 2nd and 3rd decades of their life, have been observed in Indian society for the last few decades. Present study is carried out at forensic medicine department, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Relevant information and subjective data like age, habitat, and manner of death of various causes of death victims have been collected from medico legal autopsy register. Data of 3711 autopsied males are analyzed retrospective for periods of two and half years from January 2012 to July 2014 The aim of this study is to find out the pattern of unnatural deaths in male and the various factors associated with such deaths in Varanasi region and to out find remedial measures to bring down the incidence. Road traffic accidents 1504(40.53%) contribute most common cause and 21 to 40 year found to be the most common age group affected 1709(46.05%). Male residing in rural area 2911(78.44%) and religion Hindu 3008(81.06%) were way more affected. Such unnatural death can be prevented by education, awareness, change in attitude and mindset of society etc. but the law enforcement agencies must also take strict measures to curb it down.