Suicidal behavior in the adolescent population of Abancay City 2010-2016: a comparative study; [Conducta suicida en la población adolescente de la ciudad de Abancay 2010-2016: estudio comparativo]

Abstract

Objective: To compare the prevalence of suicidal behavior (desire to die, suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts) as well as the gender differences in the adolescent population of the city of Abancay in the years 2010 and 2016. Methods: Comparative analyses of secondary sources from databases of the mental health epidemiological studies carried out in Abancay by the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2010 and 2016. Using various instruments, a total of 725 adolescents were evaluated in 2010, and 718 in 2016. Regarding suicidal behavior, only adapted items of the Colombian Mental Health Questionnaire were considered. Various prevalence rates of suicidal behavior were measured. Results: The prevalence of desire to die in the past month significantly decreased from 4.9% in 2010 to 1.9% in 2016 (p=0.004), more evidently among females, from 8.7% in 2010 to 3.3% in 2016 (p=0.007). Lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts significantly increased from 1.1% in 2010 to 3.8% in 2016 (p=0.002). Females exhibited higher prevalences of suicidal behavior compared to males. The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts in males significantly increased from 0.4% in 2010 to 2.8% in 2016 (p=0.007), and in females, from 1.9% to 4.8% (p=0.037). Conclusions: Mental health interventions for adolescents in rural settings are necessary, taking fundamentally gender differences into account. © Revista de Neuro-Psiquiatría.