Suicide mortality in Cairo city, Egypt: A retrospective study

Abstract

This study was conducted to describe the suicidal deaths in Cairo City, Egypt. Data were collected from the cases of suicidal deaths in a 5-year period from 1998 to 2002. The cases were grouped according to age of the cases into six groups: group A (from newborn to 9years old), group B (10–19years), group C (20–34years), group D (35–49years), group E (50–64years) and group F (65years and above), and also grouped according to gender, number of subjects every year, methods of suicide, hospital admission, motives, associated diseases, toxicological analysis results. All data were statistically analyzed.The total number of cases was 254 cases, the majority was males and the rate of suicidal deaths was 0.73 per 100,000 population in the last year of the study. High suicidal deaths prevalence was found in middle age group in both males and females and represented 48.80% of the total number of cases. Burning was the most common method of suicide in both sexes, and represented 32.7% of the total suicidal deaths specially in middle age group. The majority of suicidal deaths was highest in Spring in both gender (36.3%) and lowest in autumn 16.9%. Positive postmortem toxicological screen was seen in 14.60% of persons. Associated psychic and/or chronic diseases were present in 36.20%. Previous attempts were recorded in 9.10% of cases. The motivating family problems were 19.7% followed by financial problems (8.6%), then the conflicts with the other partner (1.6%), and the least due to illegal pregnancy (0.40%).The current study focused on the methods and aspects of suicidal deaths in “Cairo City”, which may help in prevention and treatment of this problem, accordingly. We recommended psychological assessment and support for chronic illnesses’ patients for early monitoring of committing suicide tendency.