Common postmortem examination finding of dead body on arrival at St. Paul Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Dead body on arrival or brought in dead is a condition where the person is found clinically dead at the scene, up on arrival to emergency or up on the arrival of professional like medical assistant. Even though dead body on arrival have different risk factors, these can be prevented by strengthen prehospital care, providing first aid training and improving emergency referral system. Objectives: The main aim of this study is to determine the pattern and modalities of postmortem finding of dead body on arrival at St. Paul Hospital Forensic medicine and Toxicology Department, from Jan 1, 2021- Dec 31, 2021 G.C. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Forensic medicine of St.Paul’s Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected from postmortem report April 1, May 30, 2022. The study population were all dead body on arrival at forensic department, for which postmortem examination done. After the data collection the data was cleared, coded and entered to computer by using epi info Version 3.5.3 and SPSS version 20.0.0 for analysis. Results:.During the one year interval of this study, 422 sample size was taken with 100% respondent rate. The mean age and standard deviations (±SD) of the patients was 38.9 ± 15.6 years and two third of the patients are between 15 to 44 years of age. Three hundred thirty-two (78.7%) of the deceased were male patients. Around (82.9%) lived in urban areas. In General External causes of death accounts (41.1%) followed by communicable diseases (30.2%), and noncommunicable diseases (28.7%),From specific causes of death pneumonia accounts 90 (21.3%) deaths and coronary artery disease was 45 (10.7%) from alleged manner of death Natural cause were 232(58.9%) followed by Unnatural 162 (41.1%) Conclusions:- This study we conclude leading cause of death as External causes followed by communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases. The two most common specific cause of death were Pneumonia and coronary artery disease among adults in Ethiopia.From allged manner of death Natural cause was leading followed by Unnatural cause. Rural residents were more likely to die due to external causes compared to Urban residents, and urban residents had a higher risk of death from Communicable diseases compared to rural residents Keywords: Postmortem, Dead body on arrival, Forensic department,