Abstract

GONZALEZ, Andrea et al. Suicide and Gender in Antioquia (Colombia): A Psychological Autopsy Study. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2010, vol.39, n.2, pp.251-267. ISSN 0034-7450.

Objective: To identify differences in the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics between suicidal men and women in a sample from Antioquia (Colombia). Method: 144 subjects who committed suicide between 2006 and 2007 were studied by means of a psychological autopsy. Gender differences and characteristics associated independently to being a man or a woman were determined. Results: Significant differences independent of sex were identified. Death by firearm, living alone and suicide under the effects of alcohol intoxication were associated with the male gender, whereas suicide at home and leaving a note were associated with the female gender. Conclusions: The present study identified differences in socio-demographic and clinical variables, and characteristics of the suicide act, between men and women. In spite of its limitations, the present findings point towards the possibility of carrying out more specific actions in suicide prevention by taking gender into account.

Keywords : Suicide; sex distribution; autopsy.

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