Suicide mortality in India: a nationally representative survey
Vikram Patel1, Chinthanie Ramasundarahettige, Lakshmi Vijayakumar
1The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
Lancet (London, England)
|June 26, 2012
Summary
India faces a high burden of suicide deaths, with approximately 187,000 occurring in 2010. A significant proportion of these deaths, particularly among young women, were due to pesticide poisoning, highlighting the need for public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Demography
Background:
- India experiences a substantial number of suicide deaths annually, estimated at 170,000 by the WHO.
- Limited epidemiological studies on suicide in India necessitate further research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify suicide mortality in India for the year 2010.
- To identify age-specific and sex-specific suicide rates and risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a nationally representative mortality survey (2001-2003) covering 1.1 million homes.
- Physicians independently assigned causes of death based on field reports.
- Applied survey proportions to UN 2010 population estimates to project suicide deaths.
Main Results:
- Approximately 187,000 suicide deaths occurred in India in 2010 among individuals aged 15 and older.
- Suicide rates were higher in men (26.3/100,000) than women (17.5/100,000).
- 40-56% of suicides occurred in the 15-29 age group, with pesticide poisoning being a major cause.
Conclusions:
- India's suicide death rates are among the highest globally.
- A significant proportion of adult suicides occur in young adults (15-29 years), especially women.
- Public health strategies, including restricting pesticide access, could reduce suicide deaths.
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