Suicide attempts in a emergency hospital.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to characterize the profiles of suicide attempts that were attended to in the Hospital of Alagoas in the year 2010. Four hundred sixty-one charts and service bulletins were analyzed. Patients attempting suicide were predominately female. There were significant difference for suicide attempts (SAs) among men and women in the age of 10 to 19 years and 60 to 69 years. Women have tried more suicide aged between 10 and 19 years and men between 60 and 69 years. The ingestion of drugs was the most frequent method for women; and poisoning, use of sharp objects and hanging for men. The results of this study may contribute to elaboration, planning and implementation of preventive measures to reduce cases of SAs.