Studying Survivors of Near-Fatal Suicide Attempts By Poisoning: Qualitative Study

Abstract Background: Near-fatal suicide attempts by poisoning increase the risk of subsequent suicide and results in hospitalizations due to health damage caused by chemical agents. There have been no studies in Brazil considering the factors related to the choice of self-poisoning in near-fatal suicide attempts and individual awareness of hazards if non-lethal outcome. Aims: Investigate the factors influencing the decision to use poisoning in near-fatal suicide attempts and the perception of its dangers in case of survival. Method: Exploratory qualitative research with 17 adult patients who had near-fatal suicide attempts by self-poisoning hospitalized at a general hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Results: Patients reported three main reasons for the choice of method: the expectation of death without suffering, the belief of its efficacy as a suicide method, and ease of access to chemical agents. None considered the health risks associated with the chemical agents if they survived due to impulsivity and misinformation. Conclusion: Most participants chose self-poisoning with the expectation of death without suffering. Importantly, although half the sample required hospitalization, none had considered the risks associated with the use of such chemical agents. We conclude that prevention strategies should inform the possible health damages related to the use of chemical agents for people at risk of suicide.

Download Full-text

A Descriptive Cohort of Suicidal Cancer Patients: Analysis of the Autopsy Case Series from 1993 to 2019 in Milan (Italy)

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph19020829 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 829

Author(s):

Guendalina Gentile ◽

Stefano Tambuzzi ◽

Raffaella Calati ◽

Riccardo Zoja

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Case Series ◽

Point Of View ◽

The Body ◽

Risk Prevention ◽

Suicide Method ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Body Area

Suicide in cancer patients has always been a subject of clinical studies, but the contribution of forensic pathology to this phenomenon is poorly reported. With the aim of at least partially filling this gap in information, at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Milan, Italy, we assessed all suicides that occurred in cancer patients. A descriptive and retrospective analysis was carried out by examining the database of the Institute and autopsy reports. We included 288 suicide cases with proven cancer diseases. For each suicide, sex, age, country of origin, body area affected by cancer, further pathological history, medications, previous suicide attempts and suicidal communications, as well as the place where the suicide occurred, were assessed. Furthermore, from a forensic point of view, we considered the chosen suicide method and any involved means. The majority of cases were male older adults affected by lung, colon and prostate cancer. Violent suicide methods were prevalent, and the most represented suicide method was falling from height regardless of the body area affected by cancer. Such data may be of clinical use for clinicians engaged in the front lines in order to address suicide risk prevention strategies among cancer patients.

Download Full-text

124. Biological Monitoring to Assess the Health Risks for Workers Exposed to Mixtures of Physical and Chemical Agents

10.3320/1.2762506 ◽

1999 ◽

Author(s):

T.E. McKone ◽

W.G. Chen ◽

R.C. Spear

Keyword(s):

Biological Monitoring ◽

Health Risks ◽

Chemical Agents ◽

Physical And Chemical

Download Full-text

Pancreatic Cancer Exposome Profile to Aid Early Detection and Inform Prevention Strategies

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10081665 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1665

Author(s):

Maria J. Monroy-Iglesias ◽

Saoirse Dolly ◽

Debashis Sarker ◽

Kiruthikah Thillai ◽

Mieke Van Hemelrijck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Early Detection ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Inflammatory Markers ◽

Poor Prognosis ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Detection Strategies

Pancreatic cancer (PCa) is associated with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. The causes of PCa are not fully elucidated yet, although certain exposome factors have been identified. The exposome is defined as the sum of all environmental factors influencing the occurrence of a disease during a life span. The development of an exposome approach for PCa has the potential to discover new disease-associated factors to better understand the carcinogenesis of PCa and help with early detection strategies. Our systematic review of the literature identified several exposome factors that have been associated with PCa alone and in combination with other exposures. A potential inflammatory signature has been observed among the interaction of several exposures (i.e., smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and inflammatory markers) that further increases the incidence and progression of PCa. A large number of exposures have been identified such as genetic, hormonal, microorganism infections and immune responses that warrant further investigation. Future early detection strategies should utilize this information to assess individuals’ risk for PCa.

Download Full-text

Study of the Factors Affecting the Career Development of New-Immigrant-Children University Students in Taiwan

International Journal of Higher Education ◽

10.5430/ijhe.v8n6p192 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 192

Author(s):

Yu-Chuan Chen

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Career Development ◽

University Students ◽

Research Method ◽

Social Systems ◽

Immigrant Children ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

International Marriages ◽

New Immigrant

Over the last two decades, Taiwan has experienced a surge in immigration due to marriage. With the growth in the incidence of international marriages, the number of immigrant children in Taiwan has sharply increased. Career development is an important factor worldwide and is thus an important issue for immigrant children in Taiwan. Many factors influence the choices of new immigrant children for their career development. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing the career development of new immigrant children. The research was conducted using the qualitative research method, and data were collected from 30 participants who were new-immigrant-children university students. After analyzing the interviews of the participants, the results were analyzed. Further, on the basis of analysis of previous literature and interviews, recommendations were made for the career development of new immigrant children, such as strengthen the attainment of and respect for multi-culturalism through School, family, and social systems.

Download Full-text

Coroners' records on suicide mortality in Montréal: limitations and implications in suicide prevention strategies

Chronic Diseases and Injuries in Canada ◽

10.24095/hpcdp.34.1.04 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 23-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J Houle ◽

C Guillou-Ouellette

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Decision Makers ◽

The Other ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

The People ◽

Local Decision ◽

Local Decision Makers ◽

Very High

Introduction In Montréal, the characteristics of suicide cases may vary between different areas. The information collected by coroners during their investigations of suicides could be used to support local suicide-prevention planning actions. Methods This study analyzes all coroners' records on suicide in Montréal from 2007 to 2009 to 1. determine the usefulness of the data available; 2. develop a profile of cases; 3. examine local differences by comparing two areas, one with the highest suicide rate and the other with the lowest. Results The data collected revealed the lack of a systematic, standardized procedure for recording information about deaths by suicide. The rates of missing data varied, but were very high for antecedents of suicide attempts and recent events that could have precipitated the suicide. We observed differences in the characteristics of suicide cases according to area of residence. Conclusion By adopting a standardized procedure for collecting information on cases of suicide, coroners could provide local decision makers with a more accurate portrait of the people who die by suicide in their area. Local adjustments may improve suicide-prevention strategies.

Download Full-text

Underage Rural Drinking: Survey Data and Implications for Educators

The Rural Educator ◽

10.35608/ruraled.v31i3.959 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Jon Lasser ◽

Eric Schmidt ◽

James Diep ◽

Amy Huebel

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Survey Data ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Health Risks ◽

Underage Drinking ◽

Care Providers ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Texas County ◽

Significant Health

This article reports data collected in a rural Texas county that explores the beliefs and perceptions of youth about alcohol use. Results from the study suggest high rates of underage drinking and present significant health risks. The data also shed some light on how yuth perceive parents, responsibilities, access, and prevention strategies with regard to alcohol usage. Implications for rural educators and health care providers are discussed in light of the findings, with an emphasis on both prevention and intervention.

Download Full-text

Restricting Access to Methods of Suicide

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910.28.s1.4 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 28 (S1) ◽

pp. 4-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 81

Author(s):

Keith Hawton

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Long Term Survivors ◽

Methods Of Suicide

Abstract. Restriction of access to means for suicidal behavior, especially dangerous methods, is a key element in most national suicide prevention strategies. In this paper the rationale for this is discussed, including the fact that suicidal impulses are often brief, that availability of a method may influence both the occurrence and outcome of a suicidal act, and that if a favored means becomes less available it does not always result in substitution by another method. Examples of evidence for the effectiveness of restricting availability of suicidal methods on subsequent suicidal behavior are presented, plus the supporting findings from studies of long-term survivors of serious suicide attempts in which only a minority have gone on to die in subsequent suicide attempts. Finally, factors likely to determine the effectiveness of modifying access to means for suicide are considered, together with the main elements that need to be addressed in evaluation.

Download Full-text