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Rates and factors associated with suicide in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, 2000-2002.
- Source :
-
The International journal of social psychiatry [Int J Soc Psychiatry] 2006 Jan; Vol. 52 (1), pp. 65-71. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Background: Inefficient civil registration systems, non-report of deaths, variable standards in certifying death and the legal and social consequences of suicide are major obstacles to investigating suicide in the developing world.<br />Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the suicide rate in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, for the years 2000-2002 using verbal autopsies.<br />Method: The setting for the study was a comprehensive community health programme in a development block in rural South India. The main outcome measure was death by suicide, diagnosed by a detailed verbal autopsy and census, and birth and death data to identify the population base.<br />Results: The average suicide rate was 92.1 per 100,000. The ratio of male to female suicides was 1:0.66. The age-specific suicide rate for men increased with age while that for women showed two peaks: 15-24 years and over 65 years of age. Hanging (49%) and poisoning with organo-phosphorus compounds (40.5%) were the commonest methods of committing suicide. Acute and/or chronic stress was elicited for nearly all subjects. More men suffered from chronic stress while more women had acute precipitating events (chi2 = 4.58; p < 0.04). People less than 44 years of age had more acute precipitating events before death while older subjects reported more chronic stress (chi2 = 17.38; p < 0.001).<br />Conclusion: The study replicates findings of an earlier study from the area. The suicide rate documented in this study is very high and is a major public health concern. There is a need for sentinel centres in India and in developing countries to monitor trends and to develop innovative strategies to reduce deaths by suicide.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Autopsy statistics & numerical data
Community Health Services
Female
Humans
India epidemiology
Male
Poisoning epidemiology
Population Surveillance
Prospective Studies
Sex Factors
Stress, Psychological epidemiology
Suicide statistics & numerical data
Suicide Prevention
Suicide trends
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0020-7640
- Volume :
- 52
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The International journal of social psychiatry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16463596
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764006061253