ABSTRACT
Background: The influenza virus has unique ability to cause recurrent epidemics and global pandemics. Very few information is available regarding death pattern and associated factors till now so this study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the profile of H1N1 deaths reported at SMS hospital, Jaipur and it’s associated factors. Methods: The present study was conducted at SMS hospital, Jaipur during 22nd August 2009 to 13th January 2010. The secondary data related to case reports of death due to H1N1 2009 was collected. Data on following variables were collected age, sex, urban / rural, presenting clinical symptoms, associated illness if any, investigation done, time lag between admission and death, time lag of sample taken and reporting. The data so collected were analyzed with appropriate statistical procedures. Observation: There were total 34 deaths reported due to H1N1 related cause. Almost one fourth (8 /34) of deaths occurred in the age group of 21 to 25 years. Majority of the patients reported with high grade fever (88.2%), cough and breathlessness (79.4%) each, sore throat was present in 23.5%, 11.7% had some associating complications when admitted to the hospital. In 71.8% deaths were due to problems related to respiratory system. There were five H1N1 positive pregnant women who were admitted at SMS hospital and all five died.