Suicidal Trends in Tribals of Bastar-A study of 11-Years

Abstract

Background: Due to multiple external factors, the lifestyle and cultural factors of the Bastar tribes have undergone a significant shift in the last three decades. Our approach has been to extensively study the tribal communities to find out which Tribe is more vulnerable to suicide, what pattern they follow, and how it can be prevented.

Objective: The objective of the study was to study the pattern of Suicide cases in the tribal communities of Bastar on a Tribe-wide scale so that necessary steps can be taken to prevent Suicides in communities that have a high scale of Suicidal cases.

Material and Method:  The data of postmortem reports of all cases of Suicidal deaths of tribals of Bastar region, Chhattisgarh, that occurred in 11 years (2011 to 2021), which had been brought to the mortuary of the Forensic Medicine department.

Results: Out of a total of 454 cases evaluated, it consisted predominantly of the male population of the age group 21- 30 years, with a maximum of 154 cases. The maximum number of cases found in the year 2020 was 68. Maximum cases occurred in the Months of January/June/December, with 44 cases. Tribe-wise, the Bhatra tribe stood 1^st with 105 cases, followed by the Muria Tribe with 60 cases. The maximum number of suicide cases was from Hanging, 248 cases, Poisoning stood 2^nd, 170 cases.

Conclusion: In our study, we have found that the Bhatra Tribe, followed by the Muria Tribe, has the leading cases, and the government needs to emphasize them to prevent cases from occurring. Suicidal deaths among tribals were mainly due to Hanging, followed by poisoning, mainly consisting of organophosphate and organo-chloride poison; authorities and the government control and monitor the distribution and use of organophosphate and organo-chloride poison.