This retrospective study reviewed mortuary records, 1993-2003, from medico-legal autopsies done at the Umtata General Hospital in Transkei. Of the 10,340 autopsies, 398 were suicides in which hanging was the method. The number has increased from 5.2 per 100,000 population in 1993 to 16.2 in 2003. More than one-half of these cases were people less than 30 years of age. The male/female ratio was highest (9:1) in individuals in the 20-29-year age group. Suicidal tendencies are emerging as an important health issue among adolescents & young adults. 43 refs.) JA