Characterization of the epidemiological profile of suicide in the elderly in Brazil occurring in the period from 2010 to 2019

Abstract

Mortality rates by suicide in Brazil have been increasing in the last ten years, and the elderly population constitutes a vulnerable population to this grievance. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of suicide in the elderly in Brazil, occurring in the period from 2010 to 2019. This is a descriptive ecological study using data from the Mortality Information System of DATASUS regarding mortality from intentionally self-harm in the elderly population, which were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and presented as raw values and percentages. The data show that 16.7% of the suicides in the period occurred in the elderly population, and 80.4% were men, 48.9% married, 63.1% white, and 54.4% had only up to 7 years of schooling. The main place of occurrence was the home (67.9%). The most prevalent types of injuries were hanging/strangulation/suffocation (65.7%), gunshot (10.5%), and intentional autointoxication (10.1%). It is necessary to adopt preventive measures for this population, according to the risk factors involved, especially in countries where the demographic transition is towards population aging.