Spatial analysis of the attempted suicide reported cases behavior in Cali and Medellín, Colombia, 2021

Abstract

Introduction: A suicide attempt is a potentially harmful behavior, self-inflicted, with the intention of causing death, performed by an individual through various methods and without a fatal result. Among the triggering factors that could cause it are the recent loss of a loved one and the low-income situation. The objective is to execute a spatial analysis to identify the likely relationship between attempted suicide cases, the Multidimensional Poverty Index - MPI and COVID-19 and determine the incidences according to MPI in 2021.

Methodology: Retrospective and spatial analysis of attempted suicide cases reported from Cali and Medellín to the National Surveillance System - Sivigila in 2021.

Results: Areas with a concentration of cases are identified for the two cities, mainly with IPM above 30 %. No relationship was found between MPIadjusted incidences; however, a possible temporal relation was identified between the peaks of COVID-19 with an increasing trend in attempted suicide cases for the following epidemiological periods.

Discussion: The behavior of cases presents a spatial predominance in areas with MPI greater than 30 %, as well as COVID-19 cases and deaths, which could explain the cluster-type distribution. When analyzing incidences adjusted by MPI, no clear association was found, showing a possible relationship between the case incidence and the population density of the territories. It is recommended to implement this type of analysis in other cities, review triggering and risk factors that may affect the population to understand the behavior of this conduct better, identify areas for risk maps and guide prevention efforts in the country.