Gender differences in completed suicidal hangings from 2013 to 2018 in Muğla, Turkey

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Hanging is a prevalent suicide method in Turkey, with variations across demographics.
• Understanding suicide methods is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze autopsy findings in suicidal hanging cases.
• To identify and compare gender-specific differences in these findings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, cross-sectional study of 175 autopsy reports from a local morgue (2013-2018).
• Evaluation of sociodemographic data, reasons for suicide, suicide notes, media coverage, and macroscopic autopsy findings.
• Statistical comparison of findings between genders.

Main Results:

• Males constituted 76% of hanging suicide cases.
• Mental illness was the leading cause (29.2%), followed by family problems (14.9%).
• Males were more likely to be single and unemployed; atypical hanging incidence was higher in males.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender differences exist in socioeconomic and mental health factors associated with suicidal hanging.
• Further research is needed to explore the underlying causes of these disparities in suicide.