Characteristics of suicide attempt in adolescents of the municipality of Puerto Padre

Abstract

Background: the incidence of suicide attempt in the country has been increasing in recent years. In the 10 to 19 age group it has become the third cause of death in the last five years.Objective: to characterize the cases of suicide attempt in adolescents, with a diagnosis made at the "Raymundo Castro" Pediatric Teaching Hospital of the municipality of Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, from December 2017 to May 2018.Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a population of 30 adolescents who were admitted to the aforementioned pediatric hospital with a diagnosis of suicide attempt, during the period herein declared. The following variables were assessed: personal and family history of suicide attempt, suicide method, causes of the attempt, family functionality and psychiatric diagnosis. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis and processing.Results: the 15 to 19 age group (86,6 %), the female sex (80 %) and the attempt to ingest tablets (83,3 %) prevailed, with a predominance of psychoactive drugs. Most of the attempts occurred at home. 56,7 % had no personal or family history of suicide attempts. Dysfunctional families and family conflicts were the main causes of attempt. The adjustment disorder was the most frequent psychiatric diagnosis.Conclusions: variables of suicide attempt were characterized in these adolescents, with a predominance of women of intermediate adolescence, with adjustment disorders, who came from a dysfunctional and conflictive family environment.