Suicidality among Filipino children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study on substance use among Filipino suicidal and parasuicidal child and adolescent patients

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The year 2000 World Health Organization reports that the age didtribution of suicide has changed such that the rates for those aged 5-44 years old have increased from 40% to 55%, while those aged 45 and above have decreasing suicide rates of 60% to 45%. In the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the proportion of child and adolescent suicide cases has increased from 35.8% and 26% in 2003-2004 to 41.7% and 58.4% 2005-2006. To date, local studies on risk factors affecting adolescent suicide have not been done and the number of adolescent attempting to kill themselves in a country known for its close family ties and catholic practices continue to rise. Objectives: To describe the profile of Filipino children who committed suicide or parasuicide and characterize them in terms of history of substance use versus patients without a history of substance use in terms of the following variables demographics, nature of suicide, and risk factors for suicide. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional chart review of all Filipino charity patients aged 18 years and below, seen at the PGH Department of Emergency Services (DEMS) from the period January 1, 2006 to October 31, 2007 was done. Data was analyzed using frequency count distribution and ratio and proportion. Results and Conclusions: A total of 56 charts were reviewed for the study. The profile of the Filipino child who attempted suicide in this study can be described as majority is female, single aged 14-18 years, RC, high school students, and unemployed. Most common method of suicide attempt was through ingestion of silver jewelry cleaner following family conflict. No mortality was reported. Suicide risk factors which appear to be significant in this population are substance use, domestic situation, and involvement in a relationship. Further characterization of the group into those with and without a history of substance use also suggests that increasing age, a lower educational attainment, employment status, family history of suicide, marital status of parents, domestic situation, and involvement in a relationship are factors that may influence substance use among this vulnerable population. Recommendations: Early psychiatric evaluation of alcoholic drinkers among adolescents and parental psycho-education in school should be done to curb the rising incidence of suicide attempts in this vulnerable population. Further, prospective and multicenter studies involving more subjects are needed to validate findings in this study.