Suicidal behavior in São Paulo State, Brazil - a 16 year comparative study between two regions

Abstract

Suicidal behavior was comparatively analyzed in two regions of the State of São Paulo by using data available ate the local Institute of Forensic Medicine (IML) and Institute of Forensic Sciences (IC). The suicide ranking order of both administrative regions is present by the authors in relation to other countries and Brazilian states. Variables such as age, gender, marital status, occupation, methods used, season of the year, place of occurence, personal and regional social-economical conditions, motivation and magnitude of the problem are discussed. Results show that the rate of consummated suicides is higher in men then in women. Suicidal behavior is more prevalent during the post-adolescence period and adulthood. As to marital status, the highest percentages were found among single and married persons. Concerning the methods most frequently used, significant differences were found between Jundiaí and São José do Rio Preto regions. In the first, hanging fire gun and poisoning were the methods of choice, while in the second region poisoning, fire gun and hanging are the methods most frequently used. Spring was the season of highest prevalence (October, November, December). The mortality rate by suicide was 5.30 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1980 and it has progressively increased to 7.89 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1989, reaching the highest value in 1992, 15.76 per 100,000, and slowly decreasing to a 12.67 per 100,000 rate last year.