Female victims of unnatural deaths

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Unnatural deaths indicate the level of social and mental wellbeing of a society. Female unnatural deaths are often associated with their long history of deprivation of socio-economic rights. Traumatic injuries among females remain under-reported globally and studies on this area are scares. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyse the profile of unnatural deaths among females with a view to determine the factors influencing these deaths. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on the post mortem records of the female victims of trauma during last 3 years (2013-2015) reported to a tertiary care hospital of Sri Lanka. The historical details, scene and autopsy findings, investigations, opinion and conclusions given were obtained to fill the pro-forma. RESULTS: Of the 139 deaths, majority 71(51%) were less than 40 years of age. Commonest cause of death (40%; n=56) was accidents especially road traffic accidents followed by suicides amounting to 45 (32%). Poisoning (31%; n=14)) was the commonest method of suicide followed by hanging (26%; n=12) ). Among the 45 suicides, majority (53%; n=24) were young women. Family disputes and love affairs were the main reasons for suicide in 21 (47%) and murder in 13 (39%) deaths. Husband or a known person was the alleged perpetrator in 20 (61%) homicides. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive research into occurrence of unnatural fatalities, assists authorities in the prevention of such deaths. The study highlights the importance of timely interventions on road safety and the need for effective and timely counselling services on family matters to prevent most intentional deaths of women.