A descriptive analysis of unnatural deaths in the elderly population admitted to the Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Laboratory in South Africa from 2013 to 2017
Date
2023-03
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: The elderly population is globally increasing. Frailty and associated comorbidities make this population group prone to accidents and vulnerable to injury. Considering a high level of violent unnatural deaths in South Africa, not much research has been done on unnatural deaths in the elderly population. Objectives: The purpose of our study was to describe the causes of unnatural deaths in the elderly population. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on all unnatural cases aged 65 years and older, admitted to Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Laboratory, serving the eastern part of Cape Town Metropolitan region. The study included 400 cases of elderly unnatural deaths from 2013 to 2017. Results: The most common cause of death in the elderly was found to be falls (29.8%), followed by transport-related injuries (20%) and procedure-related deaths (15.3%). Accidents were found to be the most common manner of unnatural death (61%), followed by suicides (10.8%) and homicides (9.5%). A significantly larger proportion of the suicide cases were male (n=37 in males; n=6 in females). Conclusions: Accidental deaths, in particular fall-related incidents, were the main cause for mortality in the study population. Further assessment regarding the circumstances of the accidents in the elderly is necessary to determine whether preventative strategies may lessen this burden in our ageing population. Procedure-related deaths were also highlighted as an area of concern requiring an integrated approach to assessment and standardisation of the classification of the manner of these deaths.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MMed) -- Stellenbosch University, 2023.