[Substance use in suicides in Mexico: results of the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Addictions, 1994-2006].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between substance use and the number of substances with the presentation of suicide.


METHODS
Data were taken from the forensic certificate of the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Addictions in the period between 1994 and 2006 from 27 states in Mexico.


RESULTS
Suicide was detected in 8.7% of the violent deaths during the study period. Among men, it was observed that the increased number of substances increased the possibility for death by suicide, compared to deaths from other causes (one substance: OR = 1.8; two or more: OR = 3.3). In women, that possibility remains virtually unchanged with the increase in the number of substances detected (one substance: OR = 3.2; two or more: OR = 3.6).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of substances is a major factor associated with suicide in the population whose cause of death was issued by the Mexican Forensic Medical Services.
Ocampo
René
R
Dirección General Adjunta de Epidemiología, Secretaría de Salud, México. rocampo@dgepi.salud.gob.mx
Bojorquez
Ietza
I
Cortés
Mario
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D000431:Ethanol