title: Suicide in Blantyre, Malawi (2000-2003).
abstract: In an attempt to identify at risk individuals, we analysed available information for individuals who committed suicide in Blantyre, Malawi. A retrospective audit of suicides autopsied at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital and the University of Malawi College of Medicine mortuaries between January 2000 and December 2003 was analysed by age, sex, residential location, and mode of suicide. Eighty-four suicide cases (65 males, 19 females) represented 17% of all autopsies. The major mode of suicide in Blantyre was chemical poisoning using an agricultural pesticide, accounting for 66 cases (79%)-49 males (76%), 17 females (89%). There were no cases of poisoning by therapeutic medicines, self-immolation or incised wounds. The majority of cases were from one major urban area, Limbe, and one peri-urban area, Chileka. The demographics of suicide in Malawi differ from those reported for other African countries (e.g., lower proportion of females, no use of therapeutic medicine in poisoning, few gunshots). This audit highlights a need for investigations into the sale and use of agricultural pesticides. A prospective study of social and demographic factors around suicide should be undertaken to target groups at highest risk.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Private Bag 360, Blantyre 3, Malawi; Mwanza District Hospital, Ministry of Health, Post Office Box 80, Mwanza, Malawi.
authors.forename: Charles P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Dzamalala
authors.forename: Danny A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Milner
authors.forename: N George
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Liomba
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000401:mortality; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides