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Suicides among adults in Paraguay: An 18-year national exploratory study (2004–2022)

Author

Listed:
  • Julio Torales
  • Iván Barrios
  • Osvaldo Melgarejo
  • Juan Edgar Tullo-Gómez
  • Noelia Ruiz Díaz
  • Marcelo O’Higgins
  • Carol Maggi
  • Víctor Adorno
  • Alicia Medina
  • Jorge Villalba-Arias
  • Israel González-Urbieta
  • Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez
  • João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
  • Antonio Ventriglio

Abstract

Background: The number of suicides has been increasing worldwide, year after year, becoming the fourth leading cause of death among young people between 15 and 29 years of age. Aim: In this study, we explored the frequency and characteristics of suicides among the adult general population in Paraguay between 2004 and 2022, considering that suicide attempts and suicidal risk/ideation are frequent and relevant issues in the consultation activity, even if epidemiological evidence on the national rates of suicide is scarce. Methods: In this observational, descriptive, and exploratory study, official records of all deaths by suicide were reviewed and information analyzed. In addition, an attempt was made to predict the number of suicides in the next 5 years according to a mathematical modeling. Results: In the 18-year period, 5,527 suicides of adults were recorded. Patients’ mean age was 36.8 ± 17 years old. A 76.77% of them were males, 77.44% were from an urban area and 25.98% from the Greater Asunción and Central Department of Paraguay. The most frequently used method of suicide was intentional self-inflicted injury by hanging, strangulation, or suffocation (all 67.6%). The expected number of national suicides in the following years from 2023 to 2027 will range between 462 and 530. Limitations include the lack of information regarding diagnoses and personal history in the suicide reports as well as the possibility of underreporting of national suicide cases. Conclusion: Our results represent the first large national epidemiological report of suicides in Paraguay and may be of interest for mental health professionals and health authorities in order to reduce the suicide mortality rate within the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Julio Torales & Iván Barrios & Osvaldo Melgarejo & Juan Edgar Tullo-Gómez & Noelia Ruiz Díaz & Marcelo O’Higgins & Carol Maggi & Víctor Adorno & Alicia Medina & Jorge Villalba-Arias & Israel Gon, 2023. "Suicides among adults in Paraguay: An 18-year national exploratory study (2004–2022)," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(7), pages 1641-1648, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:69:y:2023:i:7:p:1641-1648
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640231169650
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Judith Casant & Marco Helbich, 2022. "Inequalities of Suicide Mortality across Urban and Rural Areas: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Maria Ftanou & Nicola Reavley & Jo Robinson & Matthew J. Spittal & Jane Pirkis, 2021. "Developing Public Service Announcements to Help Prevent Suicide among Young People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Hempstead, Katherine, 2006. "The geography of self-injury: Spatial patterns in attempted and completed suicide," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(12), pages 3186-3196, June.
    4. Christopher M Doran & Irina Kinchin, 2020. "Economic and epidemiological impact of youth suicide in countries with the highest human development index," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-11, May.
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