Trends of Suicidal Poisoning In Ahmedabad (Retrospective Study)

The suicide rate in India is 10.3. In the last three decades, the suicide rate has increased by 43% but the male female ratio has been stable at 1.4: 1. Majority (71%) of suicide in India are by persons below the age of 44 years which imposes a huge social, emotional and economic burden. Several studies reveal that suicidal behaviours are much more prevalent than what is officially reported. (1) Poisoning, hanging and self immolation (particularly women) were the methods to commit suicide. Physical and mental illness, disturbed interpersonal relationships and economic difficulties were the major reasons for suicide. The vulnerable population was found to be women, students, farmers etc. A social and public health response in addition to a mental health response is crucial to prevent suicidal behaviour in India.The present study was undertaken in the department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology of Smt NHL MMC at Ahmedabad (Gujarat) to know the pattern of Suicidal poisoning. Total 130 cases of death due to Suicidal poisoning were selected for this Retrospective study, which were brought to us for postmortem examination during the span of two year (From May 2007 to April 2009). Our study revealed that most of the victims of fatal poisoning were Hindus, married males of middle socio-economic status who died due to self ingestion of some poison