Trends of suicides in urban area: a 5 year study

The national suicide rate in India is about 10.81 100, 000 population. Recent data presented by National Crime Record Bureau had revealed that number of suicide in big cities is increasing. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the trends of suicide in urban area of Nagpur. The retrospective study was conducted over a period of five years from January 2005 to December 2009 and includes analysis of 19, 666 autopsies and 2514 suicide deaths. The mean crude suicide rate for Nagpur city is about 19.23 per 1, 00, 000 population for the year 2005 to 2009. 1706 men and 808 women committed suicide with male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Hanging was found to be more frequently used method (38.46%), followed by poisoning (37.74%), self-immolation/burning (12.88%) and drowning (10.22%). Maximum cases were reported from Hindus (91–64%) followed by Buddhists (5.01%), Muslims (2.46%), Christians (0.71%) and Sikhs (0.15%). About 1978 (78.67%) suicides took place at the individual's home whereas 536 (21.32%o) suicides were committed at outdoors such as Public Park, Public Lake, market, hotel, railway station, railway track etc.