ZAKIUDDIN AHMED, ABSAR AHMED, SYED M MUBEEN.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the occurrence of suicidal cases in different districts of Karachi in relation to age and sex. Also to evaluate different methods adopted by the victims in committing suicide.

Study Design: Descriptive case study Setting: It is a retrospective study of seven years from 1995-2001. Data is collected from all the five districts of Karachi and then analyzed.

Material & Methods: A total number of 1379 cases of suicide were reported in Karachi which were registered with the city Police from 1995-2001. Information about age, sex, residence of the victim and mode of suicide was recorded. Average number of deaths due to suicide per annum was 198.4. In 1999 there was a sharp rise in suicidal deaths among both males and females and was found to be 310.

Conclusion: The overall male/female ratio is 1.7:1. Poisoning by drugs is found to be the most common mode of suicide. Other methods of suicide include hanging, shooting, stabbing and drowning. Four districts of Karachi; East, West, South and Central showed 21% deaths whereas district Malir showed the lowest percentage of suicide (16%) during the seven-year period. Highest frequency of suicide among both males and females was found to be in the range of 21-30 years.

For Full text contact to:
Prof. Dr. Farah Mansuri
editor@annals-ashkmdc.org

Department of Forensic Medicine, Hamdard College of Medicine & Dentistry, Karachi *
Department of Community Health Sciences, Hamdard College of Medicine & Dentistry, Karachi *
Department of Community Health Sciences, Hamdard College of Medicine & Dentistry, Karachi *