Epidemiological study of suicidal patients referred to Kowsar Hospital in Semnan

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide is one of the public health challenges which affect the individual, family, and even society. Because of the fact that accurate data collection on suicide attempts in different population areas is necessary, this study was conducted to determine the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of suicidal patients in Semnan, Iran. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-retrospective study was performed on the clinical files of 809 suicidal patients referred to Kowsar Hospital in Semnan during 2015–2018. Using a checklist, biographical information, and marital status, suicide methods, physical diseases, previous psychiatric diseases, causes of suicide, and outcomes of suicide were collected, and then, the data were analyzed using EXCEL software. Results: Out of 809 subjects, 27% had a history of chronic psychiatric diseases, 1% of the statistical population (12 people) died, and 99% of the people (797 people) survived. The prevalence of suicide attempts was higher among women, single people, housewives, and people in the age group of 18–24 years. Family issues have been cited as the cause of 495 cases (61%) of suicide attempts in our study. Conclusion: Since suicide attempts are more common among young single women because of family issues, this important issue should be given more attention by health policy makers in Semnan province.

Keywords

• epidemiology
• psychiatry
• suicide attempt
• suicide