A SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC REVIEW ON ADOLESCENT DEATHS IN WEST BENGAL

BACKGROUND According to W.H.O. adolescence is between age group 10 to 19 when physical & psychological development occurs. Many health problems develop in this period. The mortality & morbidity pattern of adolescents has a direct impact on future population. Sociodemographic profile in association with unnatural death of the adolescent has been dealt in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study was done in R. G. Kar Police morgue under FMT department with a sample of 80 cases over 1-year time duration. RESULTS Most affected age group is 15 to 19 years & victims are mainly students. RTA is the main cause of unnatural death. Burn injury was the commonest cause among the suicidal cases. Association between age and sex of the subjects was compared with the manner of death. The relatively older age groups were seen to be more vulnerable towards accidental deaths. CONCLUSION Suicide is an important cause of death among adolescence. Much attention should be paid to institute preventive measures for reducing accidental death as most of the causes are avoidable.