Psychological autopsy of 101 suicide cases from northwest region of India.
BACKGROUND
The present study was conducted by the Department Of Psychiatry, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, to investigate suicide cases during the year 2003.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the socio-demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and psychiatric and physical comorbidity associated with completed suicide.


METHODS
One hundred one suicide cases were assessed using semi-structured proforma for recording socio-demographic profile, psychosocial variables, and treatment details.


RESULTS
Majority (59.4%) of suicide victims were in the age group of 20 to 29 years. Males (57.4%) slightly outnumbered females (42.57%) in this study. As many as 57.4% of the subjects had migrated from other parts of India. Hanging was the most common method used by the suicide victims (72.2%). Psycho-social stressors were found in 61 (60.3%) suicide victims. Psychiatric illness was found in 34 cases (33.6%). However, out of them only 16 (48.5%) suicide victims sought treatment prior to the attempt. As many as 57.4% of the subjects had shown behavioral change before the suicidal attempt.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that specific focus in suicide prevention strategies should be on migrant population.
Chavan
B S
BS
Department of Psychiatry, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India.
Singh
Gurvinder Pal
GP
Kaur
Jaspreet
J
Kochar
Reshma
R