Attempted suicide in Western Viti Levu, Fiji

Case records were reviewed of 132 people referred to the FSEG in Lautoka from January 2004 to December 2005 following an attempt at suicide. Seventy five percent of the study group was under age 32, 90% were Indo-Fijian and 66% female; these characteristics were significantly overrepresented compared to the demography of the source population. Findings show that social stress constitutes the primary reason for attempted suicide among all ages, genders, religions and ethnicities and suggest that Fijians and Christians may also be reacting to economic factors. A control group study of non-suicidal persons under stress is needed to distinguish characteristics of suicide attempters. Our tentative findings agree with the current perception and literature on selective demographic risks for attempted suicide -- young age, Indian ethnicity, female gender and social stress.