Year: 2009 Source: Korean Journal of Internal Medicine, v.24, no.3, (September 2009), p.247-251 SIEC No: 20100057

This study sought to determine why paraquat is such a common agent for suicide attempts in Korea. 250 cases (143 males, 107 females) of attempted suicide by paraquat igestion were analyzed. The procurement of the paraquat was divided into 2 categories: purchased & pre-existing. Men were more likely to have purchased paraquat than were women. Men were more likely to be unmarried, or divorced or separated than the women. The group who intentionally selected paraquat consisted of 96 cases (54 males, 42 females). The incidence of paraquat purchase was higher in the intentional selection group. Greater control of parquat availability is needed. (13 refs.)