Suicide attempts and associated factors in two institutions of Cali – Colombia. Intento suicida y factores asociados en dos instituciones de Cali – Colombia.

Abstract

Objective: Prospectively analyze the epidemiological and clinical profile of the consultants of emergency services for suicide attempt in two health institutions of Cali, Colombia. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of consultants in emergency services, their clinical history and notification sheets; sociodemographic variables, mechanisms, and trigger and risk factors are analyzed. A descriptive analysis was performed using percentages and CI 95%. For the bivariate analysis simple OR and CI95% was estimated. The data was processed in Epi info 7. Results: The median age was 28 years predominating women with 63.81% (CI 95% 56.91% - 70.31%), especially students, 29.05% (CI 95% 23.01 – 35.69%). Depression is the present mental illnesses with 43.33% (CI 95% 36.53% – 50.33%).  Romantic breakup is the trigger factor with 36.19% (CI 95% 29.69% - 43.09%). Intoxication with 70.95% (CI 95% 64.31% - 76.99%), is the most used mechanism. 82.38% (CI 95% 76.54% - 87.28%) tried it for the first time. Risk factors were: adaptive disorder, OR of 9.41 (IC 95% 2.75-32.20), low academic performance OR of 11.05 (IC 1.12% 108.81), family dysfunction OR of 3.15 (IC 95% 1.6- 6.20), benzodiazepine consumption OR of 4.62 (CI 95% 1.34-15.90) and male cocaine consumption, OR of 5.5 (CI 95% 1.68-17.94). Conclusion: It is necessary to implement an epidemiological suicide conduct surveillance system according to Law 1616 of 2013, based on identified trigger and risk factors, provide elements for the formulation of public policies that aim for improvement of social coexistence and mental health.

Keywords: Suicide attempt, risk factors, mental health.