Demographic Characteristics of Suicide in Mid Gujarat Region: A prospective Study

Background: Suicide is one of the most common causes of death in India, especially in people of younger age group. Incidences of suicide are increasing throughout the world and Gujarat is not an exception. Aims & Objectives: The present study was undertaken to know the demographic characteristics of suicide victims in the mid Gujarat region and to identify the group of people who are at higher risk. Methods: The present study has been carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine, S.S.G. Hospital and Medical College, Baroda prospectively during the one year period from 1st April 2013 to 31st March 2014. All the cases brought to the department for medico-legal autopsy with an alleged history of suicide and which were later detected as suicide were selected and studied in detail. Results: In this study the peak occurrence of suicidal attempts was found in the second and third decade of life and most of the victims were Hindu Males (74%), married (59.5%), literate (81.4%), belongs to urban area (57.2%) and unemployed (40.8%). Conclusion: In this study the higher risk group for suicide involved Hindu, married males in their second and third decade of life who belong to the middle socioeconomic class of urban area and were unemployed but literate up to 12th standard. ?