Suicidio en la tercera edad: un problema de salud comunitario

Resumen

Realizamos un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo del total de defunciones por suicidio ocurridos en Manicaragua (1992-1999) Villa Clara, ascendente a 40 casos de la tercera edad, con el objetivo de determinar si el estado depresivo y las enfermedades crónicas invalidantes son factores de riesgo en ancianos. Analizamos variables epidemiológicas y socio-culturales. Concluyendo que en los 8 a estudiados, 1992 no tuvo suicidas de la tercera edad, el método ahorcamiento en 77,5 %; el estado depresivo predominó con 65,0 % y enfermedades crónicas invalidantes con el 35,0 %.<br>A descriptive and retrospective study of the total deaths from suicide occurred in Manicaragua (1992-1999), Villa Clara, was conducted in order to know if the depressive state and the chronic disabling diseases are risk factors among the elderly. It was observed that 40 aged persons committed suicide during that period. The epidemiological and sociocultural variables were analyzed. We concluded that no aged person committed suicide in 1992, that 77.5 % hanged themselves, that the depressive state prevailed in 65 % and that 35.0 % suffered from chronic disabling diseases.