[A study on suicide in Asturias: increase of the frequency in the last two decades].
BACKGROUND
The suicide is actually a significant public health issue.


METHODS
The present work studies the mortality rates by suicide registered in Asturias between the years 1975 and 1994, being based on the data published by National Statistics Institute.


RESULTS
The average annual suicide rate of the period was of 10.75 per 100,000 inhabitants, with a proportion man/woman of 2.3/1. The suicide rate increases with the age, so that the suicides of people older than 70 years meant 27% of the total of suicides in man and 36% of the total in women. A gradual increase of the phenomenon was evidenced in the temporary analysis, the standardized average annual rate went from 7.51 in 1974 to 12.91 in 1994. The annual rates increased in all the groups of age, but especially in young men and women in the decade of 40. The most used method of suicide was hanging, followed by throwing and immersion. It was evidenced a temporary trend to the increase of suicides by poisoning, shot by gun and throwing from a high place.


CONCLUSIONS
The raise of suicide rates could be influenced by sociological factors, desinstitutionalization in mental health and accessibility to suicide methods. It is important to design prevention programs adapted to local characteristics.
Iglesias García
C
C
Servicios de Salud Mental, Servicio de Salud del Principado de Asturias (SESPA), Oviedo, 33011, Asturias, España. sespa1@asturnet.es
Alvarez Riesgo
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*