Geographical Epidemiology of Suicide (Completed and Attempted) in the Townships Covered by Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences during the Years 2012 to 2016: An Ecological Study

Suicide is one of the biggest medical and social problems in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the geographical epidemiology of suicide (completed- attempted) in the townships covered by Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences during the years 2012 - 2016.

In this ecological study, information was collected using the checklist of the monthly report of the suicide prevention program in the hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Spatial correlation of suicide age-sex groups was calculated using Moranchr('39')s index (I). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test.

376 cases (1.67%) had completed suicides and 22089 cases (98.33%) had suicide attempts. Of the total number of people who committed suicide, 68.5% (15389 cases) were urban and 31.5% (7076 cases) were rural. The highest number of suicide attempts was reported from Amol city 3549 cases (16.07%) and the highest number of completed suicides was reported from Sari city 65 cases (17.29%). In cases of completed suicide, the most common method of suicide in Sari and Amol counties was the use of rice pills and in the cities of Gulogah and Nowshahr was hanging. In cases of suicide attempts, the use of psychiatric drugs was the most reported in Ghaemshahr and Amol counties.

According to the geographical pattern, the number of suicides (completeed and attempted) was higher in most age and sex groups in densely populated cities. The use of rice pill consumption method in completed suicide and violent and lethal methods was high in some areas of the province.