Identification of Suicide Risk Factors in Medell’n, Colombia: a Case-Control Study of Psychological Autopsy in a Developing Country

This study sought to determine the risk factors for suicide in Medell’n, Colombia. A case-control study was conducted among 108 individuals who died by suicide & 108 individuals who died in accidents, matched for age & gender. Both cases & controls were examined by means of psychological autopsy. Conditional logistic regression analysis identified adverse life events in the last six months, family history of suicide, major depressive episode, & expression of a wish to die as risk factors. Findings suggest risk factors for suicide may be similar across cultures. (41 refs.)