Hospitalizations due to self-inflicted injuries – Brazil, 2002 to 2013

Abstract

The scope of this article is to describe hospitalizations resulting from intentionally self-inflicted injuries attended by the Unified Health System (SUS) for the 2002-2013 period. It is an observational, descriptive study of hospital admissions in the SUS arising from intentionally self-inflicted injuries in Brazil between 2002 and 2013. A decreasing trend was observed for the rate of hospitalization in individuals aged 10 and above. Hospitalizations were concentrated between 30 to 49 years of age for men, while for women it was between 20 to 29 years of age. The highest rates of hospitalization and hospital deaths were in the Southeast. The main cause of hospitalization was intentional intoxication with medication and unspecified biological substances. Studies of this type provide input for defining prevention strategies taking into consideration the most vulnerable groups and the complexity of factors associated with suicidal behavior.