Pattern of Suicide among Residents in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Summary:

Suicide remains a social menace in most regions globally. The trend tends to vary from society to society. Due to the societal menace, the study assessed the pattern of suicide in Benin City and its environs. The pattern of suicide was assessed retrospectively using an adapted developed form. The form consist of following about the victim: Age, sex, profession, year of report, substance used, etiology, efforts made in counseling, history of psychiatric illness. Data collected were summarized accordingly. Out of the eighteen reported cases, male/female ratio was 1:1.25. They were all adults and all the cases were intentional. The percentage reports were: students, 9(50.00%) used Chemicals (Sniper(R) 7(38.89%), Otapiapia 2 (11.11%), 1(5.56%) used unknown drugs, 1(5.56%) was due to ill-health, 3(16.67%) used unknown substance. Cases were common in the year 2000s. One (5.56%) used firearms, 1(5.56%) one used electrocution, 1(5.56%) fell from height, 1(5.56%) died by hanging. Marital issues/relationship was the most common among 9(50.00%) and 3(16.67%) was due to unknown reason. They all died irrespective of the substance used. The pattern of suicide reported seems to vary in gender, substance used and etiology. Based on this report, concerted effort should be made by individuals and corporate organizations in paying much attention to those experiencing mental health conditions through counseling, rehabilitation and adopt other technical approa-ches in curbing the trend.