[Prevalence of suicidal ideations and suicidal attempts among adolescents living in Metropolitan Santiago].
BACKGROUND
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, suicide is one of the five leading causes of death among people aged l5-24 years. Suicide rates in Chile among young people have been increasing. In 1990 and 2005, the prevalence of suicide was 8.8% and 9.3% per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt rates among teenagers aged 14 and 19 years, living in Metropolitan Santiago and analyze the factors related to suicide.


METHODS
A self administered enquiry, containing a depression scale and five questions about suicide tendency, was applied to a representative sample of teenagers aged between 14 and 19 years, attending public and private schools in Metropolitan Santiago.


RESULTS
The enquiry was answered by 1567 teenagers aged between 14 and 20 years (54% males). Sixty two percent recognized suicidal ideation and 19%, suicidal attempts. These figures were significantly higher among women and those attending public schools. Sixteen years old adolescents had the highest rates of suicidal ideation and attempts.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high rate of suicidal ideation and attempts among teenagers living in Metropolitan Santiago.
Ventura-Juncá D
Raúl
R
Escuela de Psicología, Universidad de Los Andes, Las Condes. rvjunca@gmail.com
Carvajal
César
C
Undurraga
Sebastián
S
Vicuña
Pilar
P
Egaña
Josefina
J
Garib
María José
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult