Deaths Due to Non-Medical Reasons in India: Patterns and Determinants

Objective: Evidence on the magnitude and trends of deaths due to non-medical reasons in India is limited. We use data from the fourth round of the Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted in 2015-16 to examine the trends and patterns in deaths to people age 12 years or more due to non-medical reasons. We also examine the factors associated with deaths due to non-medical reasons in India. Methods: We use multivariable binary logistic regression model to examine the factors associated with deaths due to non-medical reasons in India. Results: Results show that about 11% of deaths in India in 2015-16 are due to non-medical reasons. The percentage of deaths due to non-medical reasons shows an increasing trend from about 9% in 1998-99 to 11% in 2015-16. Adults age 35-59 years are 0.30 times as likely as adults age 12-19 years to die due to non-medical reasons. Females and adults living in urban areas are less likely to die due to non-medical reasons compared with their counterparts. Deaths due to non-medical reasons are high in the eastern, western and southern regions of India compared with the northern regions. Conclusion: Deaths due to non-medical reasons are on the rise in India. Finally, there is a need for regular monitoring of deaths due to non-medical reasons in India and its states to better guide the national and state policies related to health and health behaviour.