Demographics of Suicidal, Homicidal and Motor Vehicular Accidental Deaths in Rural Haryana, North

Abstract

This is the cross-sectional observational study between 25th March, 2020 to 24th June, 2020 of all autopsy cases coming into
the mortuary MMIMSR Mullana, Ambala, compared with three months Pre lockdown period between 25th December 2020 to
24th March 2020 and matching the corresponding period of the previous year between 25th March 2019 to 24th June 2019. Out
of the total of 135 cases of death during this period of one year, we found that the implementation of lockdown has resulted in
sudden changes in all major forms of unnatural death i.e., Suicidal, Homicidal and accidental. During the lockdown period of
Group 1- 43 cases were studied out of which 79.06% (34) were male and 20.94% (9) female. The most common age group
affected was 21–40 years in Group 1 (lockdown period), with 22 cases. In marital status, we observed that 69.96 % (30) people
were married and 30.24% (13) cases were unmarried in Group 1 (lockdown period). The manner of death during the lockdown
period (Group 1) was natural (4)9.30%, unnatural (accidental 22(51.16%), suicidal 16 (37.20 %) and homicidal 01 (2.24%
cases.), respectively. The most common cause of death in the lockdown period (Group 1) was hanging 8(18.6%), poisoning
8(18.6%), head injury 8(18.6%) and hemorrhagic shock 8 (18.6%) cases. Death of alcoholic person was 4(9.30%), heart attack
2(4.65%), electrocution 01(2.32%) and others 04 (9.30%) cases Suicide rate got doubled and accident death rate come down
by almost 50% in Lockdown Group. During the lockdown period, another factor came in the study: alcoholism-related deaths
increased by four times compared to Pre lockdown group.