Comparative Analysis of Lifetime Suicide Attempts among Mexican Adolescents, over the Past 12 Years.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021;
18:5419. [PMID:
34069426 PMCID:
PMC8159116 DOI:
10.3390/ijerph18105419]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the occurrence of suicide attempts across nationally representative samples of the Mexican adolescent population over the past 12 years, and to analyze its association with sociodemographic, lifestyle and mental-health indicators.
METHODOLOGY
Data were drawn from the 2006, 2012 and 2018 National Health and Nutrition Surveys (n = 25,056; 21,509; and 17,925 adolescents, respectively). Estimates were based on standardized measurements.
RESULTS
The estimated lifetime prevalence rates of suicide attempts were 1.1% in 2006, 2.7% in 2012, and 3.9% in 2018, indicating a 3.4-fold increase. Across the three survey periods, women yielded rates nearly three times higher than men. Lifetime prevalence grew the most among adolescents aged 13-15 years. Compared to the other respondents, the odds of lifetime suicide attempts proved seven times as high for those who had been sexually abused during their childhood, five times as high for those who had been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, three times as high for those who had suffered physical aggression and twice as high for those who had smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lifetimes and those who consumed alcohol.
CONCLUSION
The sharp increase in suicide attempts in Mexico calls for an urgent public-health response via universal and targeted interventions supported by national policy and sustained federal funding.
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