title: Factors associated with suicide attempts among injection drug users.
abstract: Injection drug users (IDUs) entering an urban low-threshold opiate detoxification unit in Munich, Germany, between 1991 and 1997 were asked for lifetime suicide attempts and administered a questionnaire, including sociodemographic, IDU-related, and drug user treatment related variables. Among 1,049 participants, 20% had ever tried to commit suicide. In the logistic regression, female gender, older age, drug user treatment experience, lack of drug user counseling, and emergency treatment were associated with attempted suicide. Regular screening for suicidal behavior in IDUs should be undertaken with a special focus to mention risk factors. The study's limitations are noted. This study was partially sponsored by the German Ministry of Health.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Addiction Medicine, General Hospital Munich Schwabing, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Backmund
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schütz
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reimer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*