[Suicidal behavior as a socio-hygienic problem]

An assessment of changes in the incidence of suicides is provided. An analysis is made of age- and sex-related features, motivation, methods, the level of alcohol intoxication at the moment of autoaggression; the extent of impact is determined which suicide and autoaggression make on the main economic-demographic indices. It has been found that the established level of suicidal actions incidence influences the main economical and demographic indices. Positive changes occurring recently in the life of society, the realization of measures to combat hard drinking and alcoholism resulted in the reduction of suicide incidence. However, despite the decrease in suicide incidence the proportion of persons among suicides who resorted to the act of autoaggression during alcohol intoxication remains practically at the same level. Suicidal behavior leading to the tragic outcome should be considered as a socio-hygienic problem as it is caused by lifestyle, insufficient social and medico-psychological protection, close association with alcohol abuse and has a considerable impact on the medico-demographic indices characterizing the state of population's health.