Study of Socio- Demographic Profile of Deaths due to Burns in Autopsies Conducted at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal

Abstract

In India, incidence of burn injuries is quite high due to widespread illiteracy, old customs like dowry and use
of kerosene for lighting and cooking; poverty, overcrowding and unemployment, other social & emotional
factors, lack of safety measures at industrial setup & lack of adequate healthcare services. Although, mortality
in cases of burns has been reduced considerably by modern advance healthcare services, yet death due to
burns is not an uncommon event.
The study was carried out with the aim to study the various demographic parameters related to deaths due to
burns such as age, sex, occupation, socio-economic status, marital status, locality and source of fire.
It was a 1.6 years prospective study of cases of burns autopsied at the mortuary of Gandhi medical college,
Bhopal. The relevant information was obtained from inquest papers, history provided by relatives of the
deceased and postmortem examination.
On data analysis, it was found that incidence of burns was found to be higher higher in females (55.0%) as
compared to males (45.0%). young adults between the age group of 21-30 years have been the major victims
of burns (41.00%). In both sexes, majority of the burn cases were married (74%). Most of the burn cases
belonged to middle class, were housewives (51 %). and from rural areas (75 %). Hence, steps need be taken
by Govt., NGOs and medical professionals to reduce the mortality due to burns