Suicide deaths in south and south-east districts of Delhi during pre- and post-COVID-19 period - A comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND

Suicides are among the leading causes of death in the world and pose a major public health challenge. Mental health issues intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing an increase in the number of suicides globally. Contributory factors included social isolation, loneliness, unemployment, grief due to loss of family, fear of death, and financial stress.

AIM

To assess the pattern of suicide deaths following the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to pre-COVID-19 in the South and South-east districts of Delhi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pre-COVID-19 suicide data were reviewed from April 2017 to March 2020. We collected data from police inquest papers, medical records, and the evaluation of autopsy reports. Post-COVID-19 data for suicide deaths were collected from April 2020 and March 2023. The close relatives of the deceased were interviewed using a standardized proforma. Data were analyzed using STATA version 16.

RESULTS

A total of 1435 and 1462 suicide deaths were reported in the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic period, respectively. Suicide deaths among males were significantly higher in the post-COVID-19 period ( = 0.001). The place of suicide was non-residence in a significantly higher number of suicide deaths during the post-COVID-19 period ( = 0.001), while there was no significant difference in terms of alcohol use ( = 0.249), and physical illness ( = 0.28) during pre- and post-COVID-19 period. The most common cause of death was hanging both in the pre-COVID-19 (93.91%) and post-COVID-19 (95.5%) period.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference in the number of suicide deaths pre- and post-COVID pandemic. A significantly higher rate among males, non-residence as the place of suicide, and history of psychiatric illness was found in the post-COVID-19 period.