Epidemiological Study of Drowning Deaths in Madurai Region

Authors

  • T.Selvaraj1 , .V.Rama2

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i4.11544

Keywords:

Drowning deaths, site of drowning, seasonal variation, regional variation, occupation status, personal history

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization described drowning as serious and neglected public health
problem. Nearly about 42 people every hour and 3.7 lakh people every year die due to drowning in the world.
Method:The present study was undertaken at Government Medical College and Hospital located in Madurai
on dead bodies brought for postmortem. The study was carried out during the period of January 2017 to
December 2018 on 80 cases to study the various epidemiological parameters of drowning.
Results and Conclusions: We have concluded that 75% victims were males and 25% were females. Drowning
deaths were commonly seen in age groups of 11 to 20 years (25%). Maximum no of drowning deaths had
occurred in urban region constituting 52% followed by rural region of 48%. Study also revealed majority of
the victims were students constituting males 67% and females 33%. Number of victims of drowning deaths
has familial and financial problems in males 78% and females 22%, depression seen in males 71% and
females 29%. Number of drowning deaths occurred in September 16.5%. Most of the drowned victims were
retrieved from river 59%, Wells 25%, Pond 29%.

Author Biography

  • T.Selvaraj1 , .V.Rama2

    1
    Professor & HOD, 2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Madurai Medical College, Madurai,
    Tamilnadu

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Published

2020-10-29

How to Cite

Epidemiological Study of Drowning Deaths in Madurai Region. (2020). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 14(4), 576-579. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v14i4.11544