Abstract

Background: Mortality rate among psychiatric inpatients is one of the major concern areas which need further explorations. There is a scarcity of research studies related to this particular issue in India.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the mortality rate and its correlates among mentally ill inpatients of a Mental Health Institute of Eastern India.

Materials and Methods: The medical records of those psychiatric inpatients (n = 151) who died during their stay at the Mental Health Institute (COE), Sriram Chandra Bhanj Medical College in the past 20 years (April 1998–March 2018) constituted the study population.

Results: A total of 151 patients died during their inpatient stay. Out of which, 134 patient case records were traced out. Sociodemographic information about 65 patients (48.50%) could not be obtained as they were rescued (homeless mentally ill patients). Majority of the patients were females (51.49%). Out of 69 inpatients, majority of patients (14.92%) belonged to the age group of 35–44 years, formal education of primary level (27.61%), Hindu religion (44.77%), were married (32.08%), from rural areas (32.08%), and unemployed (26.11%). Majority of patients (69.40%) stayed in indoor for

Key words: Death; Mortality; Homeless Mentally Ill