Objective:

To describe the sociodemographic risk factors of suicidal thinking and acting in elders in Bogotá, between 2012 and 2013.

Method:

Cross-sectional observational and descriptive study about common data in the official database of the epidemiologic assessment system of suicidal behavior (sisvecos in Spanish) from Bogota's Health Bureau, in 2012-2013. We used percentual estimations and Pearson's chi-squared test to process data with a significance level of p < 0,05.

Results:

Most cases occur in people of ages between 60 to 64 years old (34,52%); females (69,44%); health insurance subsidized by the government (69,44%). From the ones who were married, there were those with suicidal thoughts (6,75%) and those who had attempted suicide (4,76%). Relationship between factors was the following: sex (chi-squared=6,87; p = 0,009); low social class (chi-squared = 9,733; p = 0.002) and occupation (Chi-squared = 4,047; p = 0,044). We found a risk of suicidal thought and attempt 4.4 times higher in people who live in low-income neighborhoods than those who live in higher-income neighborhoods (OR = 4,359, 95% CI and 1,618 - 11,745). Finally, protective OR's were found to be either occupation outside home (OR = 0-393, 95% and 0,156 - 0,991 CI) and being of male sex (OR = 0,469, 95% and 0,246 - 0,831 CI).

Conclusions:

A statistical significance was found for suicidal thoughts and attempts in the elder in relation with education and sex P = 0,009; low income bajo P = 0,002 and occupation P = 0,044. There is a risk 4.35 times higher of attempt and thought in low-income neighborhoods against high-income neighborhoods. Any activities outside home and living with a partner were identified as protective factors.

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