Suicide mortality and its behavioral characteristics in the city of Lima during the years 2017-2022

Mendoza-Saldaña Y.R.; Fajardo-Alfaro W. · Revista de Neuro-Psiquiatria (2024) · DOI: 10.20453/rnp.v87i1.4950

Resumen

Objective: To describe suicide mortality and its main characteristics in Lima, Peru during the period 2017-2022. Methods: A descriptive observational study that reports the main sociodemographic characteristics and methods of suicide, during the period 2017-2022 in Metropolitan Lima and its districts. Age-standardized mortality rates were also estimated annually and throughout the period 2017-2021. Results: There were 559 deaths by suicide during 2017-2022 in Lima, with a male/female ratio of 2.6, and a median age of 37; 68,78% were single, 44,54% had secondary education, 60,82% occurred at home, and hanging was the main method (70,98%). Suicide-related mortality was 5.52 per 100 000 habitants for Lima during the period 2017-2021. It increased to a peak in 2019 and then decreased. The districts with the highest mortality were Pucusana, Barranco and San Bartolo. Conclusions: Suicide mortality has shown a decreasing trend since 2019 in Lima; it is imperative to maintain comprehensive long-term surveillance, and to implement prevention and mental health care strategies, particularly in the most affected districts and demographic groups.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista