Epidemiology of Unnatural Deaths in Newly Married Females in Kanpur, UP

Even in the present era of women empowerment and liberalization, a rapid increase in crimes against women is a matter of great social concern. Women are victims of iniquity not only outside but inside home too. In this study epidemiology of deaths among newly married females was explored. Most of the victims were young adults in their early married years. Most of them were housewives of joint Hindu families of middle socio-economic class, where husbands were addicted to one or the other inebriant. Educated and employed women were least affected.

Ill treatment by in-laws, rash and negligent behaviour of husbands led to stressful married lives and ill mental health of wives, though most of the victims were otherwise mentally normal. All except one incidents occurred in arranged marriage. Dowry and infidelity were the most common reasons behind such deaths.