P47: Prevalence of suicide among elderly people in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The elderly population presents aggravating factors for the risk of suicide that must be considered. In this sense, it is known that there is a tendency for elderly people not to reveal suicidal ideation and to make highly self-destructive attempts. Furthermore, poorly planned retirement, social isolation, death of a spouse, family and friends can make this situation worse. However, few studies address this topic and public policies regarding suicide among the elderly are still scarce.

Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of suicide among elderly people in different regions of Brazil between 2019 and 2021.

Methods: Quantitative, descriptive and exploratory, cross-sectional study. For collection, the DATASUS database was used, based on information regarding the cause of intentional self- harm codes X60 to X84, based on the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related HealthProblems.

Results: It was observed that in Brazil, among elderly people of both sexes, the highest suicide rates are found in the age group of 60 to 69 years, with the general proportion of suicides being higher in the male population. Furthermore, the Southeast Region had the highest number of notifications, while the North Region of the country had the lowest. The age group equal to or greater than 80 years, presented the highest number of cases in the South Region.

Conclusions: Suicide notifications are an alarm for understanding the risk factors that must be carefully identified through a broader look at issues of mental health in the elderly. This information makes it possible to understand the current scenario of deaths by region to detect populations with a higher incidence and understand the binomial of mental health and aging.