Suicídio de idosos no município de Manaus, Amazonas

Abstract

Goal: To analyze, by articulating quantitative and qualitative strategies. the pheromenon of suicide in Amazonas. Methodology: Qualitative and quantitative research strategies have been articulated. On the quantitative phase of the research an epidemiological study of des:riptive and retntspective nature was conducted, aiming to characterize the mortality by suicide among pcoile 60 years old and older in the city of Manaus between the years of 2001 and 2010. from the rata base of the Information System on Mortality (Sistcma dc Informaceres sobre Mortalidade - StM, in Portuguese) by the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (Departamento de Informitica do Sistcma Unico de Sande DA•ASUS, in PortugLese). In the qual.tative phase, the suicide cases that occurred between 2000 and 2012 were gathered at the Foundation for Health ('are Attention in the State of Amazonas. To the family members the took iiart in the research we applied an interview instrument called Psychossocial Autopsy so that we may extract narratives regarding the suicide of elderly citizens. The conversations were recorded and :ranscribcd with the consent of the family members. Finally, we condicted a triangulation of both readings, quantitative and qualitative, which allowed us to produce results separetely. Afterwards, the data was compared in groups which hoghlightec convergences and divergences between the two aspects. Results: The qualitative data showed a low rate of mortality by suicide according to intematioral criteria. However, the mortality rate increases with Lge both in Amazonas and in its cap_tal. Manaus. The prfcrrcd method to the act is still hanging, being men the most common perpetrators. We have ideitified through the Fsychossocial Autopsies that the suicides were associated to the appearance of cancer, "impotence", impossibility tc see and of relating to their peers. use of alcohol and marijuana, besides cependency related to self-care. Conclusion: We suggest that future qualitative and quantitative studies about sui:idc among elderly people in Amazonas may. besides amplifying epidemiological data, pres;:nt as well specific data regarding t•is phenomenon. such as: physical. mortal, social and relational issues. Such enterprise, besides helping map out risk factors. will favor the understanding of the depth of the phenomenon. Therefore. the knowledge built by means of such study. will help develop more efficient actions to prevent suicide among this growing population in Amazonas. Keywords: Psychossoc:al Autopsies; Suic de epidemiology; Narratives ; Suicide among the elderly people.