ABSTRACT

Suicides and suicide attempts are an important public health problem. In the study, by evaluation of the forensic reports of the suicide attempts’ patients in Forensic Medicine outpatient clinic; it was aimed to present of sociodemographic/regional characteristics, methods and develop to recommendations for protective measures.

The reports between 01.06.2014 and 31.12.2018 were evaluated retrospectively and statistically.

405 (5.3%) of cases attempted suicide, 263 (64.9%) were women, 142 (35.1%) were men, mean age was 27.7 years. 11.8% of them was under 18years-old, 66.9% (n:271) of them was in 15-29-age group, 27.8% (n:111) was in 30-49-age group. There is a significant difference was found between age-group and sex (p <0.001). No significant difference was found between months and seasons. The most common used method was drugs (86.2%,n:349). In terms of severity of injury; It was found that 3.2% of the cases had a life-threatening injury, 88.4% of them were mild with simple medical intervention and 8.4% were mild/moderate.

The most common method was taking drugs. One of the striking results that, the rate of attempting suicide of women under 19 years of age is higher than men, and men in the 30-39 age group is higher. In this result for women; gender roles, identity problems and freedom restrictions are playing role, and for men; gender roles, identity problems, economic problems are playing role. The findings are important to shed light on protective measures. It would be useful to refer the patients who applied to social support units.

Keywords: Suicide Attempt, Suicide Method, Forensic Medicine, Forensic Report