Characterization of suicide in adolescents in Antioquia, Colombia, 2001-2020

Introduction: Suicide is a growing worldwide public health problem that affects all population groups, including adolescents. In recent years, suicide rates among adolescents have increased, highlighting the need to understand their characteristics in order to implement better intervention programs. Objective: To characterize suicide deaths in adolescents in Antioquia, Colombia, during the period 2001-2020. Material and Methods: An ecological cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze personal, geographic, and temporal characteristics of the deceased. Information on deaths was obtained from death registration records managed by the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia. Descriptive analyses were conducted according to the nature of each variable, and mortality rates were calculated. Results: A total of 1.250 suicides were registered in the twenty-year period studied, with an average of 62,5 suicides per year. Deaths were predominantly in males (64.6 %), single individuals (81.4 %), aged between 15 and 19 years (81.0 %), those who died where they resided (50.2 %), those living in the municipal seat (65.4 %), residents of the Valle del Aburrá (50.7 %), and those who used hanging as the method of suicide (54.4 %). The rate was 6.0 per 100.000 adolescents (7.6 for males and 4.3 for females). Rates in rural areas were higher: 7.1 compared to 5.3 per 100.000 adolescents in the municipal seat. Conclusions: The existence of significant suicide rates in the analyzed period indicates the need for relevant authorities to develop and implement appropriate prevention programs.