Pattern of Suicides during COVID-19 Pandemic among Autopsies Conducted at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh: A One-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge. It’s just not limited to physical impact but also has serious
mental, social and economic impacts all over the world. Self-harm and suicides are its extreme effects.
Aim: To study and analyze the patterns of suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective autopsy-based analysis of suicidal deaths occurred during March 2020
and February 2021 was conducted in the department of Forensic medicine, Sri Venkateswara Medical College,
Tirupati. A total of 897 autopsies were conducted, out of which 248 were suicides.
Results: 248 cases of suicide were studied among them 182 were male and 66 were female. Majority of the deaths
were due to hanging (94, 37.90%) followed by poisoning (61,24.59%). The most important contributing factor for
suicide was domestic conflict/ violence (85,34.27%) followed by financial loss or loss of income (81,32.66%).
Conclusion: This study reemphasizes the need of proactive responses to psychological health especially during
events of stressful conditions like lock down and pandemic. Social, economic and public health response is
necessary to prevent suicidal behavior.