Pattern of suicide by self-poisoning in Northern Tunisia: An eleven-year study (2005-2015)

J Forensic Leg Med. 2019 Feb:61:1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2018.10.004. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to discuss the epidemiological features of self-poisoning suicide in Northern Tunisia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study, including all the cases of fatal self-poisoning suicide occurring between January 2005 and December 2015.

Results: In the study period, 204 cases of self-poisoning suicide occurred in northern Tunisia, with a prevalence of 0.44 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year. Among these cases, 59% were females (the sex ratio was 0.69). The mean age was 34 ± 15.3 years-old. The most common age group of the victims (28.4%) was between 20 and 29 years old. Victims were unemployed in 45% of cases and single at the time of suicide in 52%. None of the victims left a suicide note. Self-poisonings were due to the ingestion of drugs (52.5%), pesticides (42.6%), caustic products (5.5%) and Butane gas (1 case).

Conclusions: Fatal casualties of self-poisoning in Tunisia are frequently young, single, unemployed women. This pattern would allow planning of targeted preventive measures.

Keywords: Drugs and non-drugs; Epidemiology; Intentional-poisoning; Suicide.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Butanes / poisoning
  • Caustics / poisoning
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pesticides / poisoning
  • Poisoning / mortality*
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Tunisia / epidemiology
  • Unemployment / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Butanes
  • Caustics
  • Pesticides
  • butane