Psychiatric aspect of suicide in a sample of Iraqi people

Abstract

Background: Suicide is a major public health concern worldwide. To identify risk factors for prevent suicide, it is essential to understand the demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with suicidal ideation and behavior. Objectives: This study seeks to assess suicide symptoms in people of Babylon City and assesses the effect of factors that increase the suicide rate and to find sociodemographic and psychological factors that may influence the act of suicide and whether they differ from other suicide intensions prevailing in the world. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study of 57 patients with suicidal behavior who were admitted to at Al-Sadiq Teaching Hospital in Babylon City, Iraq between 2021 and 2023. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between suicide attempters and completers, and a correlation matrix was used to explore relationships between these characteristics. Results: The mean age of the patients was 34.2 years, and the majority were women (63.2%) and single (56.1%). Previous suicide attempts were reported by 50 patients (87.7%). Hanging and poisoning were the most common methods of attempted suicide, whereas firearms were the most common method of completed suicide. Depression and anxiety were the most common co-morbid psychiatric conditions, and chronic pain was the most common co-morbid medical condition. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of screening for suicide risk factors and providing appropriate treatment for co-morbid psychiatric and medical conditions. The results also suggest that suicide prevention efforts may benefit from targeting younger individuals, for those who are single or have lower education levels, and those with a history of suicide attempts.

Keywords

• psychiatric conditions
• suicidal attempts
• suicidal behavior
• suicide