TRENDS AND PATTERNS OF SUICIDE IN PEOPLE OF CHITRAL, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

OBJECTIVE: To examine suicide trends and patterns among people of Chitral District, Northern Pakistan; and to explore causes for suicide in this population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on information obtained from District Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, regarding suicide deaths in this region which took place from 2007 to 2011. Data on 168 suicide victims was taken from 6 Tehsils in Chitral District, Pakistan, using the Cluster sampling technique. Primary data was collected from a pre-designed questionnaire and interviews of victims’ families and other knowledgeable parties. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: A total of 168 suicide cases were evaluated, that included 104(62%) women and 64(38%) men. Suicides rates were found to be more common in individuals aged 20-24 years. The main reasons behind the suicides were found to be family disputes (54%; n=90); lack of confidence and impatience (32%; n=54); mental health problems (14%; n=23); and failure in exams (11%; n=18). Lack of family support and care (8%; n=14) was also a common contributing factor. Drowning was the most common method of suicide among all victims (52%; n=87), followed by hanging (26%; n=43) and others. CONCLUSION: In district Chitral, Pakistan, women had almost double the rate of suicide than men. Suicide was associated with family and marital issues, and the most common methods of suicide included were drowning and hanging.