Research papers
← vista completaPublished on October 1, 2012 | http://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2012.09.5528
Prevalence of deaths by suicide in the city of Constitution (Chile) between the years 2001-2011
Muertes por suicidio en la ciudad de Constitución (Chile) entre los años 2001-2011: estudio de prevalencia acumulada
Abstract
Currently, Chile has a suicide rate of 18.5 and 3.2 deaths for men and women, respectively, per 100,000 inhabitants. In this cumulative prevalence study we reviewed all autopsies performed at the Forensic Service of Constitución city in which the cause of death was suicide, in order to describe their evolution between 2001 and 2011. We recorded information about methods of suicide, age, gender, temporality, urban or rural, marital status, and toxicology. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The method by hanging was the most prevalent, accounting for 83.3% of suicides, occurring most often in the years 2007, 2008 and 2011, and showing increased seasonality in March, October, November and December, preferably in the 13 to 22 year-old age group and in unmarried men. Only 44.55% was associated with alcohol consumption. Hanging is still the most common method of suicide, and coincides with the global trend of child and adolescent suicide. The periods of greatest frequency coincide with brighter days, spring or holidays, in which mood disorders tend to increase. Interestingly, no significant relationship with alcohol intake was found, whereas the literature reports a strong relationship with suicide. It is noteworthy that after the earthquake-tsunami of February 2010, there was no significant increase in suicide rates. Overall, the data show a trend consistent with the rest of the country (Chile); however, Constitución deviates somewhat, possibly due to population-specific characteristics.
