Abstract
The aim of the study was to characterize the profile of victims of self-inflicted injuries, who were attended at urgent and emergency care services in Brazilian state capitals, by using the "Viva Survey" database of 2014. Descriptive statistics of the self-inflicted injuries by gender, as well as logistic regression analysis, were performed. The evaluated characteristics were age, gender, race/skin color, education, area of residence, characteristics of the event, alcohol use and the outcome of the case. The results showed that almost 10% of the surveyed cases that were treated by emergency medical services in relation to violence were due to self-inflicted injuries: of particular note were the cases involving females and adults. Gender differences were found, including some that were related to the method chosen to commit suicide. It was not possible to evaluate some factors that are generally associated with suicide attempts because the necessary information was not within the scope of the instrument used for data collection. It was concluded that emergency medical services are very important in terms of studies regarding suicide because they are the gateway to such cases. However, given its sensitive nature, the information issued by emergency medical services is very restricted. Consequently, patients need appropriate follow-up to prevent further suicide attempts.
Highlights
Suicide is an act of self-violence that is defined as an intentional act to end one’s life[1,2]
This article seeks to contribute to broadening existing knowledge regarding the role of emergency health services in Brazilian state capitals by mapping the occurrences of suicides and the potential risk factors. This cross-sectional study was based on data regarding the care for victims of self-inflicted injuries recorded in the Violence and Accident Surveillance System (VIVA), within its survey component
In the 2014 Viva-Inquiry, 4,949 cases related to violence were reported, of which 477 (9.5%) resulted from self-inflicted injuries, of which 18 (2.9%) involved children, 94 (18.8%) adolescents, 348 (74.6%) adults and 16 (3.7%) elderly people
Summary
Suicide is an act of self-violence that is defined as an intentional act to end one’s life[1,2]. Non-fatal suicidal behaviors are termed suicidal ideation when there are thoughts that foster the desire to end one’s existence, and they are aggravated when accompanied by a suicidal plan to kill oneself. A suicide attempt involves conduct aimed at harming oneself, in which there is intent to kill oneself which could result in injury or death. Self-harm is self-inflicted violence, which can be subdivided into suicidal behavior and self-injury (the latter includes acts of self-mutilation, which range from milder forms such as scratches, cuts, and bites, to severe forms such as the amputation of limbs)[1]. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) defines self-harm as being intentional self-inflicted injuries and poisonings, as well as suicide attempts[3]
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