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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 11/2018

01-11-2018 | Original Paper

Descriptive epidemiology of suicide attempts and suicide in the remote villages of French Guiana

Authors: Basma Guarmit, Paul Brousse, Aude Lucarelli, Gerd Donutil, Claire Cropet, Emilie Mosnier, Philippe Travers, Mathieu Nacher

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 11/2018

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Abstract

Objective

The overall rate of suicide in French Guiana is estimated at 6 per 100,000, a rate that is lower than in mainland France. Given the frequent reports of suicide in Amerindian communities, our hypothesis was that this figure fails to capture a more contrasted reality. Our objective was to refine estimates and determine suicide rates in remote villages of French Guiana.

Methods

We included patients for whom a suicide attempt or suicide was mentioned in medical records. The Health centers were grouped into two zones according to geographical remoteness.

Results

The highest suicide rates observed in the remote Amerindian villages of Camopi and Trois Sauts were, respectively, 118 and 78/100,000. The median age at the time of suicide was significantly younger in remote zones [23 years (95% CI 21.59–25.06)] than in non-remote zones—[27 years (95% CI 24.47–29.31)]. The most frequent methods were hanging (78%) and intoxication (22%).

Conclusions

The suicide rate in remote areas in French Guiana was eight times higher than in France. The suicide of young people in remote areas in French Guiana and specifically in Amerindian villages must be better understood and prevented with contextualized and adapted care.
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Metadata
Title
Descriptive epidemiology of suicide attempts and suicide in the remote villages of French Guiana
Authors
Basma Guarmit
Paul Brousse
Aude Lucarelli
Gerd Donutil
Claire Cropet
Emilie Mosnier
Philippe Travers
Mathieu Nacher
Publication date
01-11-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1570-6

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