Profile of drowning autopsies at rajkot civil hospital: a two year study.

ABSTRACT

Background: Gujarat registered 40.7 % of accidental deaths in 2007 and nearly 10% of them are due to drowning. For implementing preventive measures, research related drowning data and its implicating factors are required. So we attempted to carry out this study with objective of generating profile for all drowning autopsies. Methods: The study was conducted at Rajkot from 1st November 2004 to 31st October 2006. Out of total 2934 autopsies, drowning was found in 100 cases. Detailed and complete postmortem examination of corpses was done and a proforma was filled in. Data were entered and analyzed with SPSS 15.0 version software. Results: Out of total 100 drowning cases, 58% were from urban area. 43% deaths were suicidal and 36 % were accidental in nature. Out of 88 identified cases, 60.2 % were unmarried. 67% cases were in 15-30 years of age group and male female ratio was 2.71. Literacy rate was 69.3% with higher education only in 2.2% cases. Most frequent occupations were study (31.8%) and labor work (22.7%) with 59.1% belonged to lower socio-economic class. Factors affecting mental status and behavior like addiction, family problem and mental illness were found in 33%, 35% and 10.2% cases respectively. Injuries and animal or aquatic animal bites over the body were in 5% and 12% victims respectively. Conclusion: The high rates of drowning deaths in Rajkot and their specific circumstantial profiles suggest that drowning deaths could beneficiate from basic prevention programs and legislation.