DETERMINATION OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTERS

Objectives: To investigate the demographic and socio-cultural properties, as well as the etiological factors in suicide attempters in Turkey. Methodology: A standard questionnaire form was used to collect information on gender, age, education level, employment status, marital status, method and reason of the suicidal attempt, prior suicidal attempts, psychiatric diagnosis, family history of psychiatric disorders and the season. Eleven hundred twenty (1120) suicide attempters who were admitted to the Emergency Department of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, between 1 June 2006 and 31 December 2006, were enrolled in this study. Results: Suicide attempts were mostly observed in females (81%, p 0.005), and in the age range of 15-24 years (64.6%, p=0.300). The highest rate of suicide attempts were observed in patients with primary school education (59.8%, p=0.424), in housewifes (p 0.001), and in married women (p=0.001). The most common method used to attempt suicide was intoxication (99.1%, p=0.345) and the most common cause of suicide attempts was family problems (43.5%, p=0.001). The most important risk factors for suicidal ideation were the presence of a previous psychiatric disorders (p 0.003) and a family history of psychiatric disorders (p 0.001). Conclusion: Suicidal attempts must be carefully evaluated in subjects with previous psychiatric disorders, and a family history of psychiatric disorders.