Demographic Profile of Violent Asphyxial deaths in JSS Medical College, Mysuru – Five year retrospective study

The epidemiological risk factors for violent asphyxia deaths can contribute to construct a socioeconomic and demographic profile of  victims of asphyxial deaths. This study is also very crucial in identifying the risk factors, triggers for common asphyxia deaths and especially suicidal asphyxial deaths like hanging based on the profile and data derived from this study. This study was undertaken to analyse the different aspects of asphyxial deaths.Main focus is given to study the type of asphyxia, age, sex distribution and seasonal variation, also to know the pattern in work area, seasonal and demographic variations. Among the asphyxial deaths hanging is the commonest which constituted 81% of the total asphyxia deaths and was predominant in males. Drowning is the second most frequent type of asphyxialdeath followed by strangulation. The incidence of hanging is highest during winter season. This suggests that seasonal factors and its resulting psychological fluctuations might aggravate depression and mood, which then might finally impact the victim’s suicidal tendencies leading to increased incidences of hanging.