Caracterización de suicidios en relación con el sexo en tres departamentos de Colombia, enero de 2018 - diciembre de 2021

Objective. To characterize suicides in relation to sex between the years 2018 to 2021 in three departments of Colombia (Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño), comparing the periods defined as pre-pandemic and pandemic. Methods. Cross-sectional, observational and retrospective descriptive research, elaborated from primary source data delivered by the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLYCF) - Southwest Sectional. Results. A total of 1506 suicides were recorded during the four years studied in the departments of Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño, with more cases occurring in adult males with 58.0% (n=874), with 48.3% (n=728) residing in Valle del Cauca, using hanging as the main cause 52.0% (n=783), with conflict with a partner or ex-partner being the most prevalent reason with 19.7% (n=131). On the other hand, for the female sex, being an adult 12.4% (n=186), resident in Valle del Cauca 10.4% (n=157), also using hanging as the main cause with 12.4% (n=187), being conflict with partner or ex-partner the most prevalent reason with 6.6% (n=44). Conclusions. Suicide profiles were identified according to sex, with the vulnerable group being men in adulthood and adolescence, with a higher prevalence in Valle del Cauca.