PHENOMENOLOGY OF ‘ESCAPE’ FROM A MENTAL HOSPITAL IN INDIA

Escape phenomenon is studied in a mental hospital in a retrospective design. From among the 3892 admissions of 1977, 128 case files of patients who were escapees according to the definition used, were picked up. The incidence of escape for the year 1977 was 3.3%. Results on different variables were compared with hospital admission statistics for the year 1977 to draw inferences. Using a Chi-aquare test it was found that escape incidence was significantly high in the below 30yr. age group, males, free voluntary boarders, manics and schizophrenics. The type of ward from where escape was made, the duration of their stay in the hospital before escape, and the clinical status at the time of escape were also examined. The implications of the results are discussed.