Profile of Unnatural Deaths in Adult Females in Bangalore North

Abstract

Unnatural death is a death caused by external causes (injury or poisoning) which includes death due to intentional injuries such as homicide or suicide, and death caused by unintentional injury in an accidental manner. The sudden, accidental, unexpected, or traumatic death of a female shatters the lives of the survivors or the family, especially, when their children are young. Such deaths among females remain under- reported globally and studies on this area are scarce. So, this retrospective descriptive study was done to assess the socio-demo graphic profile of deceased adult females, to assess the manner of unnatural deaths, and to suggest measures to prevent unnatural deaths in adult females. A total of 51 cases were studied during the study period. The third decade of life was the most common age group. 88% of females were married and housewives and 62% of deaths occurred within 7 years of marriage. In 84.3% of cases manner of death was suicidal and hanging was the most common method. This study indicates that married, mainly housewives are vulnerable to a spectrum of stress problems leading to unnatural deaths. A change in attitude and mind set of society, judiciary, and most importantly of males who are supposed to be guardians of females, should be sensitized to make the home/workplace a safer and happier place for a female, thereby preventing the number of suicides among them.