OBJECTIVES: to establish the prevalence and associated factors to suicide attempts (SA) in low-income adolescents from the Caribbean region of Colombia

METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted. Adolescents between 10-24 years of age residents in 21 municipalities in the Caribbean region of Colombia were randomly selected from the population affiliated to a subsidized-regime insurance company between 2014-2018. A previously constructed questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding sociodemographic variables and potential risk factors. A self-reported antecedent of suicide attempt was defined as a case. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to establish associated factors. Absolute and relative frequencies were reported. Relative frequencies were compared with the Chi² test and continuous variables were compared with the t-test. A p value <0.050 was considered significant

RESULTS : A total of 35,214 adolescents with a mean (SD) age of 16.0 (4.1) years were included. Of these, 55.7% were women and 63.9% lived in urban areas. Prevalence of SA was 2.6% (95% IC 2.4-2.8). Patients with SA had a mean of 17.2 (3.7) years of age and were 1.2 years older compared to patients with no attempts (t-test: p<0.05). A higher prevalence was found in women compared to men (3.5% vs 1.5%) (p<0.001). The highest prevalence was found in the 15-19 age group (10-14yr: 1.8%; 15-19yr: 3.3%; 20-24yr: 2.9%). Risk factors (OR 95% IC) for SA were age over 14 years (15-19=OR 1.6; 1.3-1.9), constant physical violence by parents (OR 3.5; 1.8-6.5), previous visit to physiologist (OR 1.7; 1.5-2.1), feeling sad/empty most of the time (OR 6.6; 5.6-8.0) and a previous substance use (OR 4.8; 3.5-6.6).

CONCLUSIONS : suicide is an important cause of burden in the young population. Mental health promotion with a focus in the social determinants of health should be public health priority in this population.