Rates and Factors Associated with Suicide in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, 2000–2002

J. Prasad, V. J. Abraham, S. Minz, S. Abraham, A. Joseph, J. P. Muliyil, K. George and K. S. Jacob
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J. Prasad: Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, India. jasminep@cmcvellore.ac.in
K. S. Jacob: Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, India.

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2006, vol. 52, issue 1, 65-71

Abstract: Background : Inefficient civil registration systems, non-report of deaths, variable standards in certifying death and the legal and social consequences of suicide are major obstacles to investigating suicide in the developing world. Objective : The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the suicide rate in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, for the years 2000–2002 using verbal autopsies. Method : The setting for the study was a comprehensive community health programme in a development block in rural South India. The main outcome measure was death by suicide, diagnosed by a detailed verbal autopsy and census, and birth and death data to identify the population base. Results : The average suicide rate was 92.1 per 100,000. The ratio of male to female suicides was 1: 0.66. The age-specific suicide rate for men increased with age while that for women showed two peaks: 15–24 years and over 65 years of age. Hanging (49%) and poisoning with organo-phosphorus compounds (40.5%) were the commonest methods of committing suicide. Acute and/or chronic stress was elicited for nearly all subjects. More men suffered from chronic stress while more women had acute precipitating events (X 2 4.58; p

Date: 2006
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:52:y:2006:i:1:p:65-71

DOI: 10.1177/0020764006061253

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