Related Experiment Videos
Attempted suicide. An Egyptian investigation.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|July 1, 1979
Summary
This 1975 Cairo study found suicide attempts were most common in young, single students, often due to depressive illnesses and overdose. Official records underestimated the true suicide attempt rate.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Suicide attempts pose a significant public health challenge.
- Accurate data on suicide attempts is crucial for effective intervention strategies.
- Previous data may not fully represent the scope of suicide attempts in urban populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the demographic, social, and etiological factors of suicide attempts in Cairo.
- To determine the incidence rate of suicide attempts in a defined urban population.
- To compare official records with actual case data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 200 suicide attempt cases admitted to Ain Shams University Hospital in 1975.
- Data collection included patient demographics, medical history, and circumstances surrounding the attempt.
- Calculation of crude suicide attempt rates based on hospital admissions and catchment population.
Main Results:
- A crude suicide attempt rate of 38.5 per 100,000 population was estimated.
- The highest incidence was observed in the 15-44 age group, with no significant gender disparity.
- Single students constituted a high-risk group (40%), with depressive illnesses, hysterical reactions, and situational disorders as primary causes. Tablet overdose was the predominant method (80%).
Conclusions:
- Suicide attempts in Cairo disproportionately affect young, single individuals, particularly students.
- Mental health conditions and situational factors are key drivers of suicide attempts.
- Official government records significantly underestimate the true incidence of suicide attempts, highlighting the need for improved data collection.