INTRODUCTION: The place of death trend is very important to the policy makers and is noted to be changing patterns in developed world. There is no adequate literature analysing the trends in place of death in Tamil Nadu. Hence we will study the trends in place of death in Tamil Nadu and its districts along with trends in place of death by age and gender.
METHODOLOGY: The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study from Civil Registration System (CRS) data in Tamil Nadu State for the period 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2022. We included all the deceased who were registered in CRS and was the resident of Tamil Nadu for the study. We collected the data in excel sheets and calculated proportions regarding the place of death in Tamil Nadu by state, districts, age groups and gender.
RESULTS: The home deaths were higher in the state ranging 70 – 76%. The Deaths occurring by gender at institutions in the state was higher for males (23.7% - 29.9%) from 2018 to 2022. The deaths occurring in places other than Institution and Home was higher in males (3.2% – 4.6%). The institutional death was higher in age group less than 1 year (95.9% -97.7%) and least in age group 65 years and above (13.5% -18%). Among the age group less than 1 year in the state, the home deaths was increased in 11 districts and the percentage of home deaths among females higher in 30 districts in 2022. Among the age group 65 years and above, the home deaths was increased in 16 districts in 2022 in which percentage among females was higher in all districts. The percentage of deaths occurring in places other than institution and home has increased in all age groups especially in age group 5-14 years and has increased in 26 districts in 2022.
CONCLUSION : Home deaths are higher in the state and Institutional Deaths are increasing but at a very slower pace. There was a notable difference among the district when the deaths are compared by place of death with age and gender.