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Epidemiological issues regarding suicides in Ecuador: an 8-year report

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Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological issues related to suicide in Ecuadorians.

Subject and methods

This is an observational, descriptive, and epidemiological study. The data used in this study arise from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses register. The study analyzed gender, sex, and method used in suicide and undefined cases.

Results

Every year in Ecuador 801 individuals die by suicide, with a prevalence rate (PR) of 60.55 deaths per million population (pmp). Suicide is the cause of 1.4% of all deaths in Ecuador. By gender, men account for 70.96% (PR = 42.49 pmp), while the percentage in women is only 29.04% (PR = 17.58 pmp). The male to female ratio is ~2:1; 76.79% of all the cases involved individuals between 15 and 50 years of age. The most common method of suicide is hanging, strangulation, or suffocation (44.35%), followed by unspecified chemicals (20.37%) and pesticide poisoning (20.07%). Every year in Ecuador 352.6 individuals die by unspecified events or undetermined intents. These events could be a source of hidden suicides. By gender, men account for 76.39% (PR = 20.35 ppm). The male to female ratio is ~3:1.

Conclusion

Suicide in Ecuador has increased in a constant and progressive way, even though there is major underreporting of these cases. The main method to commit suicide was hanging followed by pesticide poisoning. Suicide prevalence rates were similar to neighboring countries in South America, with the exception of Uruguay. Unspecified events or undetermined intents could be a source of hidden suicides, a fact that needs further analysis.

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Abbreviations

PR:

Prevalence rate

pmp:

Per million population

PMR:

Proportionate mortality ratio

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Aknowledgements

This study is part of a research network and the initiative called Biomedical Research and Public Health in Ecuador (INBIOSEC, Investigación Biomédica y Salud Pública en Ecuador) which aims to improve health policies through targeted research. The authors are grateful to the researchers and health authorities that support this initiative.

Contribution of the authors

All authors contributed equally to the conception, design, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting the article, further revision of this paper, and critical review of the content.

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medical Sciences, Central University of Ecuador, Sodiro N14-121 e Iquique, Quito, Ecuador

    Fabricio González-Andrade

  2. Biomedical Center, Central University of Ecuador (Quito) and UniAndes (Ambato), Quito, Ecuador

    Ramiro López-Pulles

  3. Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Santiago Gascón

  4. Department of Psychiatry, “Miguel Servet” University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain

    Javier García Campayo

Authors
  1. Fabricio González-Andrade
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  2. Ramiro López-Pulles
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  3. Santiago Gascón
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  4. Javier García Campayo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fabricio González-Andrade.

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González-Andrade, F., López-Pulles, R., Gascón, S. et al. Epidemiological issues regarding suicides in Ecuador: an 8-year report. J Public Health 19, 161–169 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-010-0372-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-010-0372-4

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