Citation

Sharma G, Shrestha PK, Wasti H, Kadel T, Ghimire P, Dhungana S. Int. J. Inj. Control Safe. Promot. 2006; 13(3): 197-199.

Affiliation

National Institute for Injury Prevention, GPO Box 14165, Kathmandu, Nepal. niip@wlink.com.np

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17457300500373523

PMID

16943165

Abstract

The objective was to study the external causes of death reported in the autopsy centre in Kathmandu, Nepal. A retrospective review of case report documentation of all violent and traumatic death autopsies was conducted in Kathmandu from mid-July 2000 to mid-July 2004. A total of 4383 autopsies were conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kathmandu. There were 1072 (25%) cases of suicide, 380 (9%) homicide, 1399 (32%) accidental, 598 (14%) deaths as a result of natural diseases and 923 (21%) undetermined causes of death. The number of males was almost twice that of females (sex ratio 2.2:1). Persons aged 15 to 44 years comprised about two-thirds of the total reported fatalities (65.4%). Suicides were mostly reported due to hanging, homicides mostly due to firearms and explosives, accidents mostly due to road traffic injuries. More than 60% of road traffic injuries resulted among pedestrians. Suicides, homicides and accidental deaths remain a poorly identified public health issue in Nepal. Medico-legal autopsy reports can serve as an important tool in understanding fatalities from violence and injuries for countries similar to Nepal. Strengthening a regular mechanism for compilation and utilization of the information, however, remains a major challenge.

Language: en