Study of Pattern of Suicides among Adolescent and Youth among Autopsies Conducted at KIMS Hospital, Hubballi

The present study evaluated suicides among adolescents and youth for a period of one year, from January 2014-December 2014 in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi, Karnataka.

There were 71cases with females (64.8%) and males (35.2%), in between ages 14 and 24 years. The highest incidence (73.2%) was seen in youth aged between 19 and 24 years. 63.4% were from rural origin and most of the victims were literates and completed secondary education (46.5%). Majority of victims (54.9%) belonged to upper lower (Class IV) socioeconomic class and majority of the victims were students (35.2%), followed by home-makers (29.6%). 45 (63.4%) victims committed suicide during day time (6 am-6 pm) and most of the victims (90.1%) committed suicides in their homes. Most of the victims (39.4%) died within six hours of occurrence of incident and were brought dead to hospital. Family conflicts and disturbed family relations was the main reason for committing suicide in majority (59.2%) of victims. Majority of victims committed suicide by consuming poison (52.1%), which was followed by hanging (29.6%).