Retrospective - suicides in „east mostar” region in the period 1999 to 2009. Is there a reason for concern?

Abstract

Introduction

Suicide represents act of conscious and intentional taking of own life.

According to ICD10 and DSMIV - suicidality and suicidal situations are a part of pathology within different diagnostic categories - most frequently PTSD, mood disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, addiction disease - with common attribute - loss or deterioration of vital instincts. Fifteen years after the war in B&H rise of suicides is evident.

Aim

determine number, characteristics, age/sex distribution and specifics of suicidal behaviour of population of subject region, and provide recommendations for preventive action.

Methods

it's a retrospective study of 10-year long monitoring of hospitalization by Psychiatry department of RMC DrS. Mujić in Mostar, under a diagnosis of Tentamen suicidii.

Results

Rise of suicide attempts is evident, especially in the period 2007–2009. In the period 2004–2009 threefold increase in share of men, whereby 6,9% pertains to ages 0–19, 37.6% to ages 20–34,23,5% to ages 35–44, and only 4.7% to ages 65+. Intoxication by medicaments is a leading mean.

Statistical processing - Microsoft Excell.

Conclusion

„East Mostar” region is an artificial creation, result of war, segregations, migrations, of predominantly Muslim population, which carries air of specific war trauma and after-war hopelessness, material and spiritual impoverishment, unfulfilled expectations and lack of perspective, and characteristics of suicidal behaviour of its population are therefore - specific.

It's necessary to conduct comprehensive research on state level, form centers with educated teams. Media and influence of religious communities can be critical in the segment of coping strategies.