Caldera Trinidad, Herrera Andrés, Renberg Ellinor Salander, Kullgren Gunnar
Department of Mental Health, University of León UNAN, Nicaragua.
Scand J Public Health. 2004;32(5):349-55. doi: 10.1080/14034940410029496.
A study was undertaken to assess the incidence of parasuicide in Nicaragua, to identify groups at risk, and to describe the characteristics of parasuicides, such as methods used and seasonal and diurnal patterns.
All hospital-admitted parasuicide cases in the area of Leon, Nicaragua, were assessed over a three-year period using standardized instruments.
Two hundred and thirty-three parasuicide cases were identified in the catchment area giving a parasuicide rate of 66.3/100,000 inhabitants per year based on the population 10 years and older. Corresponding figure for 15 years and older was 71.3. A majority were females (68.8%), who were significantly younger than the males (mean 20.8 years vs. mean 24.6 years). The highest rates were found in the age group 15-19 years with a female rate three times higher than the male rate (302.9 vs. 98.9). Pesticides, a highly lethal substance, were used as method in 19.1% of the attempts. Consistent seasonal variation with peaks in May-June and September-October were found over the years. Among parasuicide cases, 46.5% had been in contact with the healthcare system within 6 months before attempting suicide.
Parasuicides represent a significant health problem among young people in Nicaragua. Preventive efforts should be directed especially towards the life situation for young girls, limitation of availability of suicide means, increased awareness in schools concerning suicidal problems, as well as improved management of patients with mental health problems within primary healthcare.
开展一项研究以评估尼加拉瓜蓄意自伤的发生率，确定高危群体，并描述蓄意自伤的特征，如所使用的方法以及季节性和昼夜模式。
在三年期间，使用标准化工具对尼加拉瓜莱昂地区所有因蓄意自伤住院的病例进行评估。
在该集水区共识别出233例蓄意自伤病例，以10岁及以上人口计算，蓄意自伤率为每年66.3/10万居民。15岁及以上人群的相应数字为71.3。大多数为女性（68.8%），她们明显比男性年轻（平均20.8岁对平均24.6岁）。15 - 19岁年龄组的发生率最高，女性发生率是男性的三倍（302.9对98.9）。19.1%的蓄意自伤尝试使用了农药这种高致死性物质。多年来发现存在一致的季节性变化，5 - 6月和9 - 10月出现高峰。在蓄意自伤病例中，46.5%在自杀未遂前6个月内曾与医疗系统接触。
蓄意自伤是尼加拉瓜年轻人中的一个重大健康问题。预防工作应特别针对年轻女孩的生活状况、限制自杀手段的可得性、提高学校对自杀问题的认识，以及改善初级医疗保健中对心理健康问题患者的管理。
