Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background & Aim: Following the increasing rate of suicide and its outcomes in recent decades, WHO introduced its attempt to decrease suicide rate as one of its aims in world health program by 2000. As a part of multinational project of World Health Organization, this study was undertaken to determine demographic characteristics of suicide attempters attending emergency ward of Karaj Hospitals in 2003-2004. Patients & Methods: Statistical population of this study was all suicide attempters attending emergency department of Karaj hospitals, out of whom 632 attendants ready to participate in the study were selected. Demographic variables, method of suicide, time and place of doing suicide, frequency of attempts and use of health services were all collected by hospital records, as well as interview with accompanies and patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted as a part of multinational projects of WHO between 2003-2004. T-test and chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results: Most of suicide attempters were female(62.5%), single(53.6%), with high school education(52.8%). The mean age was 24.5(±9) years. Suicide attempters were unemployed(29.8%) and housewife(67.5%) in male and female group respectively. There was a positive history of suicide in relatives in 15.4% of attempters(97 subjects). 28% of subjects had previous attempt and 23.7% of them reported a poor physical health in the past 3 months before attempt. Conclusion: Unemployed, female, single individuals, married females, and housewives are at risk of suicide more than others.