Epidemiological profile of suicides and self-harm in Goianésia do Pará (2018–2023)

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of self-inflicted injuries and deaths by suicide in the municipality of Goianésia do Pará between 2018 and 2023, identifying sociodemographic characteristics, methods used, and places of occurrence. Methods: Descriptive-exploratory study with analysis of secondary data obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) for self-inflicted injuries and the Mortality Information System (SIM) for deaths by suicide. Variables such as sex, age group, race/color, education, methods used, and place of occurrence were analyzed. Results: Of the total of 69 registered cases, it was observed that women represented 55.1% of self-inflicted injuries, while men predominated in deaths (66.7%); Adolescents (12-17 years old) concentrated 18.8% of injuries, while the elderly (≥72 years old) represented 33.3% of deaths; the brown population was the most affected (78.3% of injuries and 66.7% of deaths) and residence was the main place of occurrence (68.1% of injuries and 66.7% of deaths). Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need for intersectoral public policies that consider local particularities, with specific actions for primary prevention focused on adolescents, early identification of risk in the elderly, and restriction of access to lethal methods in the domestic environment.