Perfil das vítimas de suicídio de João Pessoa, Paraíba - Brasil

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide has been increasing in Brazil and worldwide, presenting itself as a serious public health problem. Objective: Outline the suicide victims profile in the city of Joao Pessoa, Brazil. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative-approach study, through the evaluation of data gathered by the Mortality Information System (SIM) of suicide victims in the years 2015 and 2016, through the analysis of Death Certificates. The Epidemiological Surveillance Department of the Municipal Secretariat of Joao Pessoa provided the data. The variances studied were sex, age, schooling, marital status, occupation, place of suicide and basic cause of death, the later according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (Pearson's Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test) were used, with a significance level of 5.0%. Results: 105 victims were analyzed, showing higher prevalence of males (75.2%), between 20 and 39 years (41.9%), and residence as being the place of choice for suicidal practice (73.3%). Regarding the method, hanging was more common among men (57.1% and p = 0.006) and autointoxication and hanging (10.5% and p = 0.006) among women. There was no statistically significant difference when genre was related to marital status, schooling and occupation (p = 0.381, p = 0.051 and p = 0.628, respectively). Conclusion: The suicide victims profile in the city of Joao Pessoa, Brazil is man, adult, single, with low schooling, agriculture-related profession, and residence as the place of choice for suicidal practice. Regarding the method, hanging was prevalent among men, and hanging and autointoxication among women.