Rates and Factors Associated with Suicide in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, 2000–2002

Abstract

Background: Inefficient civil registration systems, non-report of deaths, variable standards in certifying death and the legal and social consequences of suicide are major obstacles to investigating suicide in the developing world. Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the suicide rate in Kaniyambadi Block, Tamil Nadu, South India, for the years 2000–2002 using verbal autopsies. Method: The setting for the study was a comprehensive community health programme in a development block in rural South India. The main outcome measure was death by suicide, diagnosed by a detailed verbal autopsy and census, and birth and death data to identify the population base. Results: The average suicide rate was 92.1 per 100,000. The ratio of male to female suicides was 1: 0.66. The age-specific suicide rate for men increased with age while that for women showed two peaks: 15–24 years and over 65 years of age. Hanging (49%) and poisoning with organo-phosphorus compounds (40.5%) were the commonest methods of committing suicide. Acute and/or chronic stress was elicited for nearly all subjects. More men suffered from chronic stress while more women had acute precipitating events (X2 4.58; p < 0.04). People less than 44 years of age had more acute precipitating events before death while older subjects reported more chronic stress (X2=17.38; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study replicates findings of an earlier study from the area. The suicide rate documented in this study is very high and is a major public health concern. There is a need for sentinel centres in India and in developing countries to monitor trends and to develop innovative strategies to reduce deaths by suicide.