Suicide and suicide attempt in Mexican adolescents

Aremis L. Villalobos, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP)
Carlos M. Guerrero-López, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública
María I. Hernández-Serrato, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
Oswaldo Palma-Coca, Education Evaluation National Institute
Alain López-Condado, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
Gustavo Olaiz-Fernández, Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks -COFEPRIS- SSA.

Objective. To show updated information about associated factors to suicide and suicide attempts among adolescents. Material and Methods. Based upon the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANUT 2006), 25 056 adolescents were studied. General and specific prevalences of suicide attempts are shown for subgroups of interest. For data analysis we considered the sampling design; punctual estimates and confidence intervals (95%) are analyzed. For suicide deads we analyzed statistical vitals in Mexico. Results. 1.1% of adolescents between 10 and 19 years old have had at least one suicidal attempt. Prevalence indicators are 1.7% and 0.6% among women and men, respectively, 1.8% among adolescents between 15 and 19 years old, and 0.6% within the 10-14 years old group. Conclusions. The increase in suicide attempts makes necessary to take preventive actions, given that 1.1% of adolescents have tried to take away their lives at least once.