[Descriptive study of suicide in Galicia, 1987]

Deaths caused by suicide in Galicia during 1987 are studied, in order to identify high incidence areas where further studies could be designed to define specific factors for suicide. Three hundred and three death certificates and their corresponding judicial reports in the subgroup E950-959 of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) were processed. Suicide rate in Galicia was found to be 10.65 per 100,000 inhabitants, with 5,313 Years of Potential Life Lost. The suicide rate in the province of Coruña was the highest (12.79 per 100,000 inhabitants) and, within it, the Narón area reached the highest rate (35.40 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants). Male to female ratio was 3.7. Mean age at suicide was 52.8 (sigma = 18.8), the range being 14-90 years. The age distribution was concentrated at older ages, especially among women, who contributed to a higher number of deaths by suicide on sundays and first days of the week. Hanging was the method chosen in 66% of deaths. We conclude that Galicia has a high mortality due to suicide, especially in the industrial area where the economic crisis is more pronounced.