Epidemiologic suicide profile in microregion of Barbacena from 1997 until 2012

The aim of this study was to describe the suicide mortality in a region of Minas Gerais, from 1997 until 2012. Data were obtained from the Mortality Information System of the Ministry of Health and analyzed according to variables such as gender, age, race, marital status and method employed. The simple linear regression model was used to verify the trend of deaths in that period. During the study period, 241 deaths by suicide occurred in the microregion, which corresponded to an average rate of 6.9 deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants. The results pointed to a predominance of deaths in: males; whites; individuals aged 30-39 years; unmarried. The most common method was hanging. It was observed an increasing trend in mortality rates from suicide. More studies should be conducted in the region seeking to identify the factors associated with suicide and, mostly, critically analyze the functioning of the health care system.