Gender differences in suicide attempts: preliminary results of the multisite intervention study on suicidal behavior (SUPRE-MISS) from Campinas, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To identify sociodemographic, psychosocial and clinical differences between men and women who attempted suicide and were seen at a university general hospital. Method: This is a non-controlled cross-sectional study, sub-project of the Multisite Intervention Study on Suicidal Behavior by the World Health Organization. A standardized interview that comprised psychometric scales was used. The comparison between genders was made by means of uni and multivariate logistic regression. Results: 210 subjects (68.1% women) participated. Women had worse scores on the WHO Well-Being Index (p = 0.005), the Beck Depression Inventory (p = 0.01) and the Psychiatric Disability Assessment Schedule (p = 0.03). In the multivariate logistic regression, men presented more mental disorders due to alcohol and drug use (26.1% vs 7%, p= 0.02) and used alcohol at the suicide attempt more frequently (28.3% vs 16%, p = 0.03). Men reported that most of the time they had been feeling "active and vigorous" (50% vs 22%, p < 0.001). Women had had more physical and sexual abuse (27% vs 8.7%, p = 0.01). Conclusion: There are some distinctive characteristics between men and women who attempt suicide. Such differences may also be present in the general population and suggest there is a need for further studies, as well as the adoption of different strategies in suicide prevention for men and women.

Perfil das tentativas de suicídio por sobredose intencional de medicamentos atendidas por um Centro de Controle de Intoxicações do Paraná, Brasil

“…Townsend et al 22 relacionam o uso de vários agentes à maior intenção suicida, uma vez que a maioria das pessoas têm conhecimento de que não se deve misturar medicamentos com outros medicamentos ou subs- tâncias químicas. O uso concomitante de bebida alcoólica foi mais significativo entre os homens do que entre as mulheres, sendo as freqüências 51,8% e 11,4%, respectivamente, afirmando dados já publicados de que os homens se valem mais dessa substância na tentativa de suicídio 30 . Os fármacos psicoativos, principalmente os tranqüilizantes, antidepressivos 22 e anticonvulsivos, possuem alta participação entre os medicamentos utilizados nas tentativas de suicídio e corresponderam a 57,5% dos casos estudados.…”

Indicadores de risco para tentativa de suicídio por envenenamento: um estudo caso-controle

“…As TS ocorrem com maior frequência do que os suicídios. Para cada suicídio consumado, estima-se que haja cerca de 20 a 30 tentativas, das quais apenas um quarto teria contato com os serviços de saúde 6,7 . Assim, os registros oficiais sobre tentativas são mais escassos e menos confiáveis do que os de suicídio 8 .…”

“…Assim, os registros oficiais sobre tentativas são mais escassos e menos confiáveis do que os de suicídio 8 . Sabe-se que a maior incidência ocorre em mulheres e, de modo geral, no público jovem, abaixo de 35 anos 1,6,7,[9][10][11][12] . Tratando-se de um tema complexo, evidencia-se a necessidade de conhecimentos mais consistentes sobre os motivos para o comportamento de autodestruição.…”

Suicide attempts by exogenous intoxication among female adolescents treated at a reference hospital in the city of Recife-PE, Brazil

“…According to data from the World Health Organization, more than one thousand people of all cultures, religions, ethnic backgrounds and socioeconomic levels commit suicide in the world each day (8) . The predisposing factors in the determination of suicide include alcohol and drug abuse, physical and/or sexual violence, social isolation, psychical disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and feelings of despair, availability of means for committing suicide and poor health (6,9) . According to a number of authors, the female gender is more susceptible to suicide attempts due to the fact that females are more vulnerable to changes in the transition to adulthood and are more subject to mistreatment at home, often suffering prejudiced notions on the part of society and other factors that can lead to depression and mental illness (10) .…”