Suicide Cases in a Province (Samsun) of Blacksea Region of Turkey Between 1999-2003 Years

Abstract

Objective: Age, gender, race, cultural and ethnic structure are important factors in suicide epidemiology. Factors effecting suicide behaviour are important to establish effective prevention programs, so it is important to evaluate them in detail. The aim of this study was to determine the regional differences and to get detailed data for guiding the suicide prevention programs by reviewing all suicides in Samsun. Material and Methods: The judicial files of all suicides were evaluated that occurred in Samsun, between 1999-2003. Some information such as age, gender, marital status, occupation status, suicide place and time and, suicide methods used by the cases were obtained. In addition, the probable risk factors for suicide from the official statements of the parents in the judicial files were determined. Results: In five years period, 169 people committed suicide in Samsun. Most of them were at the age of 10-29 years and 58.6% of were males. They most commonly used a firearm (28.4%) as the suicide method, self poisoning (27.8%) and hanging (26.0%) were following it. While most of the males committed suicide by firearm, females preferred self poisoning. Leading risk factors were unemployment and economic problems followed by family problems, diagnosed psychiatric illnesses, alcohol abuse, emotional problems and undiagnosed psychiatric illnesses. Conclusion: Suicide is a multi-faceted problem that needs both social and individual approaches. This study shows that higher ratio of firearm suicides needs more attention, and detailed studies especially for determination risk groups for prevention programs are necessary.