Citation

Balanza Soriano J, Chamorro García L. Arch. Neurobiol. (Madr) 1999; 62(2): 163-176.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Fundacion Archivos de Neurobiologia)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The global suicide rate has shown a significant increase worldwide in recent decades. The design and implementation of primary and secondary prevention strategies and programmes requires an understanding of the phenomenon, the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the likely risk factors. A retrospective study has been undertaken into fatal suicides in the city of Guadalajara from 1986 to 1995, using local court records. The research objectives included: calculation of the suicide rate, study of the basic socio-demographic characteristics of the persons committing suicide and the most relevant details of the suicidal act, tracing the existence of psychiatric disorders and evaluating the service rendered by our Specialized Attention units. The number of fatal suicides totals 73; average 7 cases per annum and a rate of 11 per 100.000 inhabitants. Suicidal individuals are mostly males. The mean age is 47 years old with maximum frequencies in 20-30 year olds and the over 60s. Suicides are committed mostly by hanging and precipitation. 36% have a psychiatric record, schizophrenia being the most frequent diagnosis. 50% of the psychiatric cases show inadequate therapeutic compliance and an irregular follow-up. In contrast to reports in the literature, young people constitute a high risk group and schizophrenia is the most frequent psychiatric diagnosis.

Language: es

Keywords

adult; age distribution; aged; article; Epidemiology; female; high risk population; human; major clinical study; male; mental disease; mental health service; prevalence; Psychiatric disorders; risk factor; Risk factors; schizophrenia; sex difference; suicide; Suicide; suicide attempt