Psychological Autopsy Study of Suicide in Three Rural and Semi-Rural Districts of Sri Lanka

The characteristics of a large sample of Sri Lankan suicides were examined to inform approaches to prevention. A psychological autopsy study was done of suicides occurring in 3 rural districts during August-October 1997. Interviews were conducted with contacts of 372 of the 499 suicide victims. Males accounted for 79% of the deaths. 21% of male & 57% of female suicides were under the age of 25. Pesticide self-poisoning accounted for 70% of deaths. Almost two-thirds of the deaths occurred in hospital & 95 had made previous suicidal gestures. There was a family history of suicide in 20% of cases. Prevention efforts should focus on restricting access to pesticides, improving the medical management of pesticide poisoning, reducing alcohol misuse, & improving the identification & aftercare of people who self-harm. (26 refs.) JA