Sexual differences in the completed suicides in Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference between men and women in terms of suicide age, suicide method and suicide reason in Turkey. This study recruited 17,327 cases that had committed suicide between 1990 and 2000. Of all the cases who committed suicide during a period of 11 years, 61. 1 % were men, 38.9% women. The highest suicide score fell into the age group 15-24 (P < 0.001). The most frequently used methods for suicide were self-hanging (48.2%) and use of firearms (19.2%) (P < 0.001). The proportion of those committing suicide taking chemicals (drugs, etc.) was higher in women than in men (P < 0.001). The most frequently seen reasons for suicide were illness and (33.8%) unsatisfactory relationships (33.0%) (P < 0.001, each one). Women committed suicide much more because of unsatisfactory relationships, whereas for men it was due to illness (20.8% and 14.6%, respectively). There were significant differences between men and women in terms of suicide age, suicide method and suicide reason in Turkey. When evaluating suicide cases it is essential that the differences between sexes be taken into consideration. (c) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.