A Cross-Sectional Study of Gender Differences in Attempted Suicide

Abstract

BACKGROUND Suicides are more common among suicide attempters. Most of the suicide attempts were done by patients with mental disorders. The gender is the most powerful predictor of suicide attempts in the form of type of mental disorder, method of attempt and lethality of attempt. Aim-The study was undertaken to evaluate the gender related differences in attempted suicide. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Psychiatry Department, Mamatha General Hospital, Khammam. Sample consisting of 100 subjects with attempted suicide were assessed on socio-demographic and suicide attempt data and MINI Plus. The diagnosis was confirmed by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Data was tabulated and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 13 (SPSS-13). RESULTS Out of 100 suicide attempters, 35 were males and 65 were females. Most of the females with psychiatric disorder attempted suicide (62.5%) compared to males (37.5%). Female suicide attempters were more with Depression (29% in female, 24.24% in male) and Schizophrenia (18.18% in female, 12.12% in male). Male suicide attempters were more with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (18.18% in male, 3.63% in female). 62% of total subjects impulsively attempted suicide compared to planned only (38%). In these, majority were males 77.14% followed by females (53.84%). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Out of total, 9% were intoxicated and all of them i.e. 25.7% were males. Lowest among females (0%) and most of the females were with clear consciousness and the males were intoxicated during the time of Attempt (100%). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Psychiatric disorder was found in 88% of suicide attempters. Most of the females with psychiatric disorder attempted suicide compared to males. Depressive disorders, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders are more in female attempters and alcohol dependence syndrome in male attempters. Impulsive attempts, intoxicated with alcohol during the attempt and used lethal methods were significantly more common in males. Household chemicals are used mostly by females. The number of first and repeated attempts difference is minute with gender.