Suicide attempts in women: data from a toxicological assistance center in Parana

Abstract

The present work is a descriptive and retrospective study aimed at determining the profile of women who had attempted suicide and were treated at an information and toxicological assistance center in Parana, Brazil, in 2008. Records of toxicological occurrences were used to compile the following variables: month of occurrence, age, patient’s occupation and origin, location in which the suicide attempt (SA) occurred, type of agent used, associated pathology and type of treatment performed before the SA occurred; history of prior SAs, and the clinical evolution of the case. Three hundred eight (308) SA records were found. Most occurred in the age group of 20-59 years (70.38%). The most common agent used to attempt suicide was medication, found in 250 cases (81.70%). Depression was found to be the most common mental disorder, in 36 cases (25.35%), and most cases, 171 women (67.06%), showed no history of prior attempts. Most cases, 289 (96.33%), evolved into a cure. It is important to highlight the importance of studying specific groups as regards the occurrence of SA and women’s vulnerability to this issue. Keywords: