Characteristics of suicides cases in Batman, South East of Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The objective in this prospective study is to evaluate the frequency, mortality and demographic properties of suicides in our province (Batman City, Turkey). Material and Methods: All cases of suicides who admitted to the emergency department of the Batman State Hospital between April 2005 and November 2007 were included in the study. Patients' gender, age, history, educational and martial status, time and method preferred for suicide, suicide causes and mortality rate were reported. The results were discussed with similar studies in literature. Results: There were 328 (0.2%) suicide cases among 146.000 patients who admitted to our emergency department. Of the suicide cases, 75.9% were females and 24.1% were males. The mean age of cases was 23.5 ± 7.4 years. The suicide made a peak between the ages of 15 and 24. The majority of cases attempted suicide by taking drugs orally (93.0%). Antidepressants were the most common agents (74.4%) among the drugs incriminated in suicide. The majority of cases attempted suicide due to family problems (39.2%). Nineteen patients were taken to intensive care unit (ICU). Organophosphates and hanging for suicide attempts were the main cause of suicide in the patients who admitted to ICU. The majority of deaths occurred due to hanging (91.7%). The mortality rate for all patients was 3.7%. Conclusion: In our study the the most common method for suicide attempt was drugs. Martality was most frequent with hanging. Females attempted suicide more frequently. The suicide made a peak between the ages of 15 and 24. The majority of cases attempted suicide due to family problems. © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.