PREVALENCE OF DELIBERATE SELF-HARM IN TEENAGE STUDENTS IN THE STATE OF GUANAJUATO, MEXICO: 2003.

The presence of deliberate self-harm (DSH) among adolescents in Guanajuato State in 2003 was identified by sex, age, educational attainment and health jurisdiction and the characteristics were described by sex according to number of times, age of only/first/last DSH, motive, method, purpose and death wish. The sample design was stratified, bistage and by conglomerates. A total of 2,530 students from high school affiliated to the University of Guanajuato participated. The results showed that 3.1% of males and 10.7% of females had engaged in at least one episode of DSH; age of first DSH was 13 in both males and females; age at last DSH was 13 in males and 14 in females. The characteristics of the DSH were also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]