Pattern of suicide by self-poisoning in Northern Tunisia: An eleven-year study (2005-2015)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to discuss the epidemiological features of self-poisoning suicide in Northern Tunisia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study, including all the cases of fatal self-poisoning suicide occurring between January 2005 and December 2015.

Results: In the study period, 204 cases of self-poisoning suicide occurred in northern Tunisia, with a prevalence of 0.44 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year. Among these cases, 59% were females (the sex ratio was 0.69). The mean age was 34 ± 15.3 years-old. The most common age group of the victims (28.4%) was between 20 and 29 years old. Victims were unemployed in 45% of cases and single at the time of suicide in 52%. None of the victims left a suicide note. Self-poisonings were due to the ingestion of drugs (52.5%), pesticides (42.6%), caustic products (5.5%) and Butane gas (1 case).

Conclusions: Fatal casualties of self-poisoning in Tunisia are frequently young, single, unemployed women. This pattern would allow planning of targeted preventive measures.

Keywords: Drugs and non-drugs; Epidemiology; Intentional-poisoning; Suicide.