A study of demographic variables of violent asphyxial deaths in Agra region

Introduction: In our world, many human lives are lost to crime and violence in which asphyxial deaths are one of the major contributors. Materials and Methods: In present study analysis of 391 deaths caused by asphyxia out of 3224 autopsies conducted in mortuary of S. N. Medical College, Agra during period of 1½ years from March 2015 to August 2016 is conducted. Data obtained is reviewed and analyzed according to different types of asphyxial deaths, their age wise distribution, sex wise distribution, manner of death and contributing factors. Results: Proportion of asphyxial deaths was 12.1% (391 cases). Hanging (64.9%) is most commonly encountered followed by drowning (24.8%) and strangulation (4.6%). Most common victims are male with male: female ratio of 1.37: 1. Most cases falls in 21-30 years age group with 27.4% of total. Majority of hanging cases were suicidal while all strangulation cases were homicidal. Majority of drowning cases were accidental. It was elicited from history that personal reasons like failure in examinations, psychiatric problems, long time illness etc. were the most common reasons for suicide by hanging. Conclusion: In present study, suicidal hanging and accidental drowning seems to be major proportions of violent asphyxial deaths. Both these manners of deaths indicate frustration and carelessness on part of population which are preventable and needs to be rectified on urgent basis.