Mortality due to Suicide in Rural Bangladesh

Population-based surveillance in a rural community in southwest Bangladesh revealed suicide is a major cause of mortality, especially in young females. The suicide rate from 1983-2002 was 39.6 per 100,000 population. Among young people, 10-19-years, suicide accounted for 42% of deaths; 89% of these deaths were females. Suicide rates from this surveillance area are substantially higher than rates reported elsewhere in Asia, warranting further studies aimed at identifying risk factors for suicide & strategies for prevention. (7 refs.)